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ADVICE 


A  YOUNG  CHRISTIAN, 


THE   IMPORTANCE  OF  AIMING 

AT 

IN  ELEVATED   STANBARD  OF  PIETY 
BY  A  VILLAGE  PASTOR. 

AN  INTRODUCTORY  ESSAY, 

BY  THE  REV.  DR.  A.  ALEXANDER 


^^^^  ' 

PUBLISHED  BY  THE 
AMERICAN  TRACT   SOCIETY, 

150   NASSAU-STREET,   NEW   YORK. 


Entered  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1843,  by  john  S.  Taylor 

in  the  Clerk's  officeof  the  District  Court  of  the  Southern  District  of  New  York 

Right  of  publishing  transferred  to  the  American  Tract  Society 


i 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

Preface, 5 

Introductory  Essay,  by  Rev.  Dr.  A.  Alexander,     ,         .         7 

LETTER  I. 
Forming  an  elevated  Christian  character,  .         .         .27 

LETTER  n. 
Temptations  peculiar  to  the  young  Christian,        .         .       33 

LETTER  in. 
Danger  of  backsliding,  .         .         .         ,   •     ,         ,38 

LETTER  IV. 
On  prayer,  ........      43 

LETTER  V. 
On  prayer — continued,  48 

LETTER  VL 
Sincerity  in  prayer, .      53 

LETTER  VII. 
Faith  essential  to  prayer,         .         .         .         .        .        .58 

LETTER  VIIL 
For  what  should  we  pray  1 63 

LETTER  IX. 
When  should  we  pray  1  68 

LETTER  X. 
The  subject  of  prayer  concluded,  ....       73 

LETTER  XL 
On  self-examination, 78 

LETTER  XII. 
Self-examination,  stated  and  occasional,        ...       83 

LETTER  XIIL 
Supei-ficial  self-examination,  88 


4  CONTENTS. 

LETTER  XIV. 

The  same  subject  continued, 93 

LETTER  XV. 

Danger  of  deceiving  ourselves, 97 

LETTER  XVI. 

Relying  on  past  experiences, 102 

LETTER  XVIL 
Self-examination — continued,      .         .         .         •         .107 

LETTER  XVIII. 
Self-examination  respects  feeling  and  conduct,  •         .112 

LETTER  XIX. 
Frequent  and  close  self-examination,  .         .         •         ,116 

LETTER  XX. 
Stated  times  of  self-examination,  ....  120 

LETTER  XXL 

Preparation  for  the  Lord's  supper,       ....       124 

LETTER  XXIL 

The  perusal  of  the  Scriptures, 128 

LETTER  XXIIL 

Religious  Uterature, 133 

LETTER  XXIV. 
A  systematic  perusal  of  the  Scriptures,  •         .         .137 

LETTER  XXV. 
A  careless  perusal  of  the  Scriptures,    ....       142 

LETTER  XXVI. 
The  historical  and  doctrinal  parts  of  Scripture,        .         .  147 

LETTER  XXVII. 

The  Bible  not  to  be  studied  for  criticism,    .         .         .       151 

LETTER  XXVIII. 

Religion  the  business  of  life, 155 

LETTER  XXIX. 
Influence  of  religion  on  the  social  relations,      ,         .        .160 

Conclusioti, 1^5 


or  a  BE 

[university' 

IPOP. 
EFA 


To  the  lambs  of  Christ's  flock,  whom  Peter  was  en- 
joined by  the  Good  Shepherd  to  feed,  I  dedicate  this  little 
book.  The  letters  which  compose  it  were  written  to  in- 
struct one  of  their  number,  the  daughter  of  a  highly 
valued  friend.  Since  they  are  now  made  public,  it  is  the 
ardent  prayer  of  the  author,  that  they  may  comfort  and 
edify  many  more. 

As  revivals  of  religion  have  become  so  frequent,  and 
have  embraced  in  their  sanctifying  influence  so  many 
youth  of  both  sexes,  these  letters  are  given  to. the  public 
witli  the  hope,  that  under  God,  they  may  stimulate  such 
youth  to  activity  in  the  cause  of  Christ,  and  awaken  a 
desire  for  those  exalted  spiritual  attainments  which  it  la 
their  object  to  recommend. 

The  age  in  which  we  live  demands  a  high  standard  oi 
Christian  character.  Any  thing  which  contributes  to  ele 
rnte  it  must  be  useful. 


6  PREFACE. 

In  presenting  this  little  volume,  the  author  has  no 
apologies  to  offer.  Not  that  he  supposes  it  free  from  de- 
fects, or  impervious  to  the  shafts  of  criticism;  but  be- 
cause, if  it  is  calculated  to  be  useful,  apologies  are  un- 
necessary :  if  it  is  not,  none,  however  labored  or  eloquent, 
can  atone  for  so  grand  and  radical  a  defect 


ESSAY 

ON  THE  NATURE  OF  VITAL  PIETY— ITS  SAME- 
NESS IN  ALL  AGES  AND  COUNTRIES— AND  ITS 
VARIOUS  ASPECTS  IN  DIFFERENT  CIRCUM- 
STANCES. 

True  religion  not  only  enlightens  the  understand- 
ing, but  rectifies  the  affections  of  the  heart.  All 
genuine  feelings  of  piety  are  the  effects  of  divine 
truth.  The  variety  and  intensity  of  these  feelings 
depend  on  the  different  kinds  of  truth,  and  the  vari- 
ous aspects  in  which  the  same  truth  is  viewed ;  and 
also,  on  the  distinctness  and  clearness  with  which  it 
is  presented  to  the  mind.  In  a  state  of  moral  per- 
fection, truth  would  uniformly  produce  all  those  emo- 
tions and  affections  which  correspond  with  its  nature, 
without  the  aid  of  any  superadded  influence.  That 
these  effects  are  not  experienced  by  all  who  have  the 
opportimity  of  knowing  the  truth,  is  a  strong  evi- 
dence of  human  depravity.  In  a  state  of  moral  de- 
pravity, the  mind  is  incapable  alike  of  perceiving  and 
feeling  the  beauty  and  excellence  of  divine  truth* 
The  dead  neither  see  nor  feel,  and  man  is  by  nature 
*'  dead  in  trespasses  and  sins."    Hence,  the  necessity 


8  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

of  the  agency  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  illuminate  and 
regenerate  the  mind.  The  nature  of  divine  agency, 
in  every  case,  is  mscrutable  by  mortals.  "  The  wind 
bloweth  where  it  listeth,  and  thou  hearest  the  sound 
thereof,  but  canst  not  tell  whence  it  cometh,  or 
whither  it  goeth  :  so  is  every  one  that  is  born  of  the 
Spirit."  We  know,  however,  that  the  work  of  the 
Spirit,  in  the  regeneration  of  the  heart,  is  adapted  to 
the  rational  nature  of  man.  The  thing  i(  be  accom- 
phshed  is  not  the  creation  of  some  new  faculty ;  it 
is  a  moral  renovation ;  and  all  moral  changes  must 
be  effected  by  understanding  and  choice.  To  put  the 
Boul,  therefore,  in  that  state  in  which  it  will  rightly 
imderstand  the  truth,  and  cordially  choose  the  high- 
est good,  is  the  end  of  regeneration.  Truth,  there- 
fore, must  be  the  means  by  which  actual  conversion 
to  Grod  takes  place.  "  Being  born  again,  not  of  cor- 
ruptible seed,  but  of  incorruptible,  by  the  word  of 
God,  which  liveth  and  abide th  for  ever."  "Of  his 
own  will  begat  he  us  with  the  word  of  truth." 
"  Sanctify  them  through  thy  truth :  thy  word  is 
truth."  Although  piety  in  the  heart  is  the  effect 
of  a  divine  operation,  yet  all  its  exercises  take  place 
agreeably  to  the  common  laws  of  our  rational  nature. 
The  understanding  is  enlightened,  the  judgment  is 
convinced,  motives  operate  on  the  will,  and  con- 
science approves  or  disapproves.  That  the  soul,  in 
the  exercises  of  piety,  is  under  the  renovating  mflu- 


INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY.  9 

ences  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  is  not  known  by  any  con 
sciousness  which  it  has  of  these  divine  operations, 
but  by  the  efTects  produced  in  a  change  of  views  and 
feelings  ;  and  this  change  is  ascribed  to  God,  because 
no  other  is  able  to  produce  it ;  and  his  word  assures 
us  that  he  is  its  author. 

Now,  as  all  men  are  endowed  with  the  same  nat- 
ural susceptibilities,  and  as  all  Christians  contem- 
plate the  same  fundamental  truths,  the  work  of 
grace  in  the  hearts  of  all  must  be  substantially  the 
same.  All  have,  by  the  knowledge  of  the  law,  been 
convinced  of  sin ;  have  been  made  to  feel  sorrow, 
shame,  and  compunction,  upon  the  recollection  of 
their  transgressions  ;  and  to  submit  to  the  justice  of 
the  sentence  of  condemnation,  which  the  law  de- 
nounces against  them.  All  have  been  made  sensible 
of  their  own  inability  to  save  themselves,  and  under 
the  influence  of  these  humbling  and  penitent  feelings, 
have  been  led  to  seek  refuge  in  Jesus  Christ,  as  the 
only  hope  of  their  souls.  This  plan  of  salvation 
appears  glorious  and  suitable  to  all  believers  ;  so  that 
they  not  only  acquiesce  in  it,  as  the  only  method  of 
salvation,  but  they  are  so  well  pleased  with  it,  that 
they  would  not  have  another  if  they  could.  And 
In  the  acceptance  of  Christ  as  a  complete  Saviour, 
there  is,  in  every  case,  some  experience  of  joy  and 
peace.  Connected  vnih  the  views  which  the  true 
believer  has  of  Christ  as  a  Saviour,  there  is  also  a 


10  YOUNG   CHRISTIAN. 

discovery,  more  or  less  clear,  of  the  glory  of  the  di- 
vine attributes,  especially  of  those  which  are  most 
conspicuously  manifested  in  the  cross  of  Christ. 
Holiness,  justice,  mercy,  and  truth  shine,  in  the 
view  of  the  sincere  convert,  with  a  lustre  surpassing 
all  other  excellence  ;  and  God  is  venerated  and  loved 
for  his  own  intrinsic  excellence,  as  well  as  for  the 
rich  benefits  bestowed  upon  us.  But  although  these 
views  may  be  distinguished,  yet,  in  experience,  they 
are  not  separated.  The  brightest  discovery  of  divine 
excellence  ever  made,  is  God's  love  to  our  miserable 
race.  The  law  of  God  is  also  viewed  to  be  holy, 
just,  and  good,  by  every  regenerated  soul.  The  un- 
renewed heart  never  is,  nor  ever  can  be,  reconciled 
to  the  law ;  "  it  is  not  subject  to  it,  nor  indeed  can 
be  :"  but  the  "  new  man"  delights  in  the  law  of  God, 
and  would  not  have  one  precept  of  it  altered ;  and 
while  it  condemns  all  his  feelings  and  works  as  im- 
perfect, he  approves  of  it  still,  and  blames  himself 
for  his  want  of  conformity  to  a  rule  so  perfect. 

Another  thing  in  which  the  experience  of  all 
Christians  is  imiform,  is,  that  they  all  are  brought  to 
a  deliberate  purpose  to  be  on  the  Lord's  side.  On 
this  point  there  is  no  hesitancy.  Many  are  affected, 
and  much  agitated  with  religious  impressions,  and 
yet  never  come  to  a  full  decision  to  choose  God  and 
his  service.  They  halt  between  two  opinions,  and 
have  a  divided  mind.     Such  persons,  however  lively 


INTRODUCTORY    ESSAY.  11 

their  feelings,  are  not  yet  truly  converted :  all  true 
converts,  after  counting  the  cost,  have  settled  this 
point  for  ever.  And  they  can  say  with  the  Psalmist, 
*'  My  heart  is  fixed,  0  God,  my  heart  is  fixed."  They 
are,  therefore,  prepared  now  to  comply  with  the 
terms  of  discipleship  laid  down  by  Christ  himself. 
They  are  willing  to  "  deny  themselves,  to  take  up 
their  cross,  and  follow  him ;  to  forsake  father  and 
mother,  wife  and  children,  houses  and  lands,  yea,  also 
their  own  hves,  for  the  sake  of  Him  who  gave  him- 
self for  them." 

Out  of  such  views  and  feelings  as  have  been  de 
scribed,  arises  an  ardent  hungering  and  thirsting  after 
righteousness,  an  intense  desire  to  know  more  of  God, 
and  to  be  admitted  into  closer  union  and  more  inti- 
mate communion  with  him.  These  habitual  desires 
of  the  renewed  soul  find  their  proper  expression  in 
prayer,  and  lead  to  a  patient  and  earnest  waiting 
upon  God  in  all  the  ordinances  and  means  of  his  ap- 
pointment. True  piety,  however,  does  not  stop  in 
mere  desires,  or  in  attendance  on  religious  duties  ;  it 
seeks  to  glorify  God  by  action.  The  earnest  inquiry 
of  every  soul  inspired  with  the  love  of  God,  is, 
"  Lord,  what  wouldst  thou  have  me  to  do  ?"  And 
wherever  there  is  piety  towards  God,  there  will  exist 
benevolence  towards  men.  One  of  the  most  sensible 
emotions  of  the  young  convert  is,  "good- will  to  men ;" 
a  sincere  desire  for  the  welfare  and  eternal  salvation 


IQ  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

of  all,  not  even  excepting  its  most  inveterate  ene- 
mies. And  towards  the  cliildren  of  God,  there 
springs  up  a  strong  and  tender  affection.  Such  seem 
to  be  brethren  indeed,  because  they  are  the  brethren 
of  Christ,  and  bear  something  of  his  image,  in  the 
humility,  meekness,  and  benevolence  of  their  charac- 
ter. In  short,  genuine  piety  disposes  and  determines 
all  who  are  its  subjects,  to  obey  and  respect  all  the 
commandments  of  God,  and  to  hate  and  avoid  all 
sin,  according  to  that  declaration  of  David,  ''I  esteem 
all  thy  precepts  concerning  all  things  to  be  right,  and 
hate  every  false  way." 

In  all  the  above-mentioned  essential  characteristics 
of  piety,  there  is  a  sameness  in  the  exercises  of  all 
true  Christians.  The  same  impression  has  been 
made  on  every  renewed  heart,  and  the  only  differ- 
ence is,  that  it  is  imprinted  more  deeply  on  some 
than  others  ;  but  still,  the  characters  are  identical ; 
and  therefore  the  evidences  of  a  work  of  grace,  con- 
tained in  the  holy  Scriptures,  are  equally  applicable 
to  all  persons  who  have  been  brought  from  darknes? 
to  ligbt.  There  often  is,  moreover,  a  striking  resem 
blance  in  those  accompanying  exercises  and  circum 
stances  which  are  not  essential.  Awakened  sinners 
are  liable  to  the  same  erroneous  conceptions,  and 
usually  fall  into  the  same  mistakes.  They  are  all 
prone  to  think,  that  by  reforming  their  lives,  they 
can  restore  themselves  to  the  favor  of  God.     They 


INTRODUCTORY    ESSAY.  13 

commonly  apply  to  the  works  of  the  law  for  relief, 
in  the  first  instance ;  and  when  driven  from  this 
false  refuge,  by  a  clearer  view  of  the  spirituality  and 
extent  of  the  law,  and  the  depth  of  their  own  de- 
pravity, they  are  apt  to  give  up  all  for  lost,  and  se- 
riously to  conclude  that  there  is  no  hope  in  their 
case.  They  are  all  prone  to  misapprehend  the  nature 
of  the  Gospel :  of  its  freeness  they  can  at  first  form 
no  conception ;  and  therefore  they  think  it  necessary 
to  come  with  some  price  in  their  hands — to  obtain 
some  kind  of  preparation  or  fitness,  before  they  ven- 
ture to  come  to  Christ.  And  when  it  is  clear  that 
no  moral  fitness  can  be  obtained  until  they  apply  to 
him,,  this  legal  spirit  will  lead  the  soul  under  convic- 
tion to  think,  that  very  deep  and  pungent  distress 
will  recommend  it  to  Christ ;  and  thus  many  are 
found  seeking  and  praying  for  a  more  deep  and  alarm- 
ing impression  of  their  sin  and  danger.  It  is  also 
very  common  to  place  undue  dependence  on  particu- 
lar means ;  especially  on  such  as  have  been  much 
blessed  to  others.  Anxious  souls  are  prone  to  think, 
that  in  reading  some  particular  book,  or  in  hearing 
some  successful  preacher,  they  will  receive  the  grace 
of  God  Avhich  bringeth  salvation  ;  in  which  expecta- 
tion they  are  generally  disappointed,  and  are  brought 
at  last  to  feel  that  they  are  entirely  dependent  on 
sovereign  grace ;  and  that  they  can"  do  nothing  to 
obtain  that  grace.     Before,  they  were  like  a  drown- 


14  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN 

ing  man  catcliing  at  every  thing  which  seemed  to 
promise  support ;  but  now,  they  are  like  a  man  who 
feels  that  he  has  no  support,  but  is  actually  sinking. 
Their  cry,  therefore,  is  now  truly  a  cry  for  Tnercy, 
"  God  be  merciful  unto  me  a  sinner."  "  Lord  save, 
I  perish."  And  it  has  often  been  proverbially  said, 
*' Man's  extremity  is  God's  opportunity,"  which  is 
commonly  realized  by  the  soul  cut  off  from  all  de- 
pendence on  itself — the  arm  of  the  Lord  is  stretched 
forth  to  preserve  it  from  sinking  ;  the  Saviour's  voice 
of  love  and  mercy  is  heard ;  light  breaks  in  upon  the 
soul,  and  it  finds  itself  embraced  in  the  arms  of  the 
Saviour ;  and  so  wonderful  is  the  transition,  that  it 
can  scarcely  trust  to  its  own  experience. 

This  similarity  of  feelings  in  the  experience  of  the 
pious  has  often  been  remarked,  and  has  been  justly 
considered  a  strong  evidence  of  the  divine  origin  of 
experimental  religion :  for  how,  otherwise,  can  this 
uniformity  of  the  views  and  feelings  of  the  pious,  in 
all  ages  and  countries,  be  accounted  for  ?  Enthusi- 
asm assumes  a  thousand  different  shapes  and  hues, 
and  is  marked  by  no  uniform  characteristics ;  but 
scriptural  piety  is  the  same  now  as  in  the  days  of 
David  and  Asaph ;  the  same  as  when  Paul  lived ; 
the  same  as  experienced  by  the  pious  fathers  of  the 
Christian  church ;  the  same  as  described  by  the 
Reformers,  by  the  Puritans,  and  by  the  evangelical 
)reachers  and  waiters  of  the  present  day.    When  the 


INTRODUCTORY    ESSAY.  15 

Gospel  takes  effect  on  any  of  the  hea1;hen,  although 
it  is  certain  that  they  never  had  the  opportunity  of 
learning  any  thing  of  this  kind  from  others,  yet  we 
find  them  expressing  the  same  feehngs  which  are 
common  to  other  Christians.  Persons  from  different 
quarters  of  the  globe,  whose  vernacular  tongue  is 
entirely  different,  yet  speak  the  same  language  in 
rehgion.  Members  of  churches,  which  hold  no  com- 
miniion,  and  which,  perhaps,  view  each  other,  when 
at  a  distance,  as  heretics,  often,  when  brought  to- 
gether, recognize  in  one  another  dear  brethren,  who 
are  of  one  mind  in  their  religious  experience. 

The  late  eminently  pious  and  learned  theologian, 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Livingston,  related  to  me,  not  many 
years  before  his  decease,  a  pleasant  anecdote,  which 
will  serve  to  illustrate  the  point  under  consideration ; 
and  which  I  communicate  to  the  pubhc  the  more 
Avillingly,  because  I  do  not  know  that  he  has  left  any 
record  of  it  behind  him.  While  a  student  at  the 
university  of  Utrecht,  a  number  of  pious  persons 
from  the  town,  and  from  among  the  students,  were 
accustomed  to  meet  for  free  conversation  on  experi- 
mental rehgion,  and  for  prayer  and  praise,  in  a  social 
capacity.  On  one  of  these  occasions,  when  the  sim- 
ilarity of  the  exercises  of  the  pious,  in  all  coimtries 
and  ages,  was  the  subject  of  conversation,  it  was 
remarked  by  one  of  the  company,  that  there  was 
then  present  a  representative  from  each  of  the  four 


16  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN.  * 

quarters  of  the  world.  These  were,  Dr.  Livingston 
from  America,  a  young  man  from  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope  in  Africa,  another  student  from  one  of  the 
Dutch  possessions  in  the  East  Indies,  and  many  na- 
tives  of  Europe  of  course.  It  was  therefore  proposed, 
that  at  the  next  meeting,  the  three  yoimg  gentlemen 
first  referred  to,  together  with  an  eminently  pious 
young  nohleman  of  Holland,  should  each  give  a  par- 
ticular narrative  of  the  rise  and  progress  of  the  work 
of  grace  in  his  own  soul.  The  proposal  was  univer- 
sally acceptable ;  and  accordingly,  a  narrative  was 
heard  from  a  native  of  each  of  the  four  quarters  of 
the  globe — of  their  views  and  feelings,  of  their  trials 
and  temptations,  etc.  The  result  was  highly  grati 
fying  to  all  present ;  and  I  think  Dr.  Livingston  said, 
that  it  was  generally  admitted  by  those  present,  that 
they  had  never  before  witnessed  so  interesting  a 
scene.  And  since  I  have  taken  the  liberty  of  men- 
tioning the  name  of  that  venerable  and  distinguished 
theologian,  I  beg  leave  to  add,  that  I  have  never  seen 
a  man  who  appeared  to  love  vital  piety  more,  or  to 
miderstand  its  nature  better. 

But  the  identity  of  rehgious  feeling  which  has  been 
described  above,  is  consistent  with  a  great  variety  in 
many  of  the  accompanying  circumstances.  Indeed, 
it  seems  probable,  that  each  individual  Christian  has 
something  distinctly  characteristic  in  his  own  case ; 
so  that  there  exists  at  least  as  much  difference  in 


INTRODUCTORY    ESSAY.  17 

the  peculiar  features  of  the  inner  as  of  the  outward 
man.  The  causes  of  this  diversity  are  manifold  :  as 
first,  the  different  degrees  of  grace  received  in  the 
commencement  of  the  divine  life ;  secondly,  the  ex- 
tent to  which  they  have  respectively  run  in  sin,  and 
the  suddenness,  or  gradual  nature  of  their  change ; 
thirdly,  the  degree  of  religious  knowledge  which  is 
possessed ;  and  finally,  no  small  diversity  arises  from 
the  various  constitutional  temperaments  of  different 
persons,  which  must  have  a  powerful  effect  in  giving 
complexion  to  the  exercises  of  religion.  To  all  which 
may  be  added,  the  manner  in  which  persons  under 
religious  impressions  are  treated  by  their  spiritual 
guides ;  and  especially  the  manner  in  which  the 
Gospel  is  preached  to  them. 

It  has  been  remarked  by  men  of  exact  observation, 
that  particular  revivals  of  rehgion  are  often  marked 
by  something  pecuhar  in  the  exercises,  and  in  the 
spirit  of  those  who  are  the  subjects  of  them.  In 
some  revivals,  convictions  are  more  pungent  and 
awful,  or  continued  for  a  longer  time,  than  in.  others ; 
and  the  converts,  in  some  revivals,  appear  to  acquire 
a  much  deeper  and  more  abiding  impression  of  the 
reahty  and  glory  of  divine  things,  and  are  evidently 
more  under  the  constrainmg  influence  of  the  love  of 
Christ,  than  is  observable  in  other  cases.  These  are 
subjects  which  deserve  a  careful  investigation ;  and 
as  revivals  are  increasing  in  frequency  and  extent  in 

T.  Christiftn.  ^ 


18  YOUNG    CHRISTIA^. 

our  churclies,  and  as  different  modes  of  conducting 
them  are  in  use,  it  is  highly  important,  that  some 
man  of  deep  experience,  and  sober,  impartial  judg- 
ment, should  make  observations  extensively,  and 
communicate  them  to  the  religious  public  ;  which  is, 
in  many  places,  perplexed  and  distracted  with  the 
different  methods  of  treatment  recommended  by  dif- 
ferent persons,  and  different  parties.  It  m.ay,  how- 
ever, be  laid  down  as  a  somid  maxim,  that  in  propor- 
tion as  the  truth  of  God  is  clearly  brought  to  view, 
ani  faithfully  applied  to  the  heart  and  conscience, 
the  good  effects  mil  be  manifest.  Erroneous  opin- 
ions, although  mingled  with  the  essential  truths  of 
the  Gospel,  will  ever  tend  to  mar  the  work  of  God. 
The  good  produced  on  any  individual,  or  on  a  society, 
must  not  be  judged  of  by  the  violence  of  the  feelings 
excited,  but  by  their  character.  Men  may  be  con- 
sumed by  a  fiery  zeal,  and  yet  exhibit  little  of  the  • 
meekness,  humility,  and  sweet  benevolence  of  Jesus 
Great  pretenders  and  high  professors  may  he  proud, 
arrogant,  and  censorious.  When  these  are  the  effects, 
we  may,  without  fear,  declare,  *'  that  they  know  not 
what  manner  of  spirit  they  are  of"  Any  religion, 
however  corrupt,  may  have  its  zealots ;  but  true 
Christianity  consists  m  the  fruits  of  the  Spirit,  which 
are,  "  love,  joy,  peace,  long-suffering,  gentleness,  good- 
ness, faith,  meekness,  temperance." 

Fiety  seems  also  to  assume  an  aspect  somewhat 


INTRODUCTORY    ESSAY  19 

difierent,  in  different  ages  and  periods  of  the  church. 
There  is  in  human  nature  a  strong  tendency  to  run 
to  extremes ;  and  from  one  extreme,  immediately  to 
the  opposite.  And  as  the  imperfections  of  our  nature 
mingle  with  every  thing  which  we  touch,  so  piety 
itself  is  not  exempt  from  the  influence  of  the  ten- 
dency above  mentioned.  In  one  age,  or  in  one  relig- 
ious community,  the  leaning  is  to  enthusiasm :  in 
another,  to  superstition.  At  one  time,  religion  ia 
made  to  assume  a  severe  and  gloomy  aspect ;  the 
conscience  is  morbidly  scrupulous  ;  things  indiflerent 
are  viewed  as  sins  ;  and  human  infirmities  are  mag- 
nified into  crimes.  At  such  times,  all  cheerfulness 
is  proscribed ;  and  the  Christian  whom  nature  prompts 
to  smile,  feels  a  check  from  the  monitor  within.  Tliis 
alloy  of  genuine  piety  is  also  often  connected  with 
bigotry  and  censoriousness.  Now,  when  true  rehg- 
ion  is  disfigured  by  such  defects,  it  appears  before  the 
world  to  great  disadvantage.  Men  of  the  world  form 
their  opinions  of  the  nature  of  piety  from  what  they 
observe  in  its  professors ;  and  from  such  an  exhibition 
of  it  as  we  have  described,  they  often  take  up  preju- 
dices which  are  never  removed.  There  is,  however, 
an  opposite  extreme,  not  less  dangerous  and  injurious 
than  this.  "When  professors  of  rehgion  conform  to 
the  world  so  far  that  no  clear  distinction  can  be 
observed  between  the  Christian  and  the  worldHng. 
K  the  former  error  drives  men  away  from  religion,  as 


30  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

a  sour  and  miserable  thing,  this  leads  them  to  the 
opinion,  that  Christians  are  actuated  by  the  same 
principles  as  they  are ;  and  therefore  they  conclude 
that  no  great  change  of  their  character  is  necessary. 
It  is  sometimes  alleged  by  professors  who  thus  ac- 
commodate themselves  to  the  fashions  and  amuse- 
ments of  the  world,  that  they  hope  by  this  means  to 
render  rehgion  attractive,  and  thus  gain  over  to  piety 
those  who  neglect  it ;  but  this  is  a  weak  pretext,  for 
such  conformity  always  tends  to  confirm  people  in 
their  carelessness.  "When  they  see  professors  at  the 
theatre,  or  figuring  in  the  ballroom,  their  conclusion 
either  is,  that  there  is  no  reaUty  in  vital  piety,  or 
that  these  professors  act  inconsistently. 

The  religious  habits  of  some  serious  professors  of 
rehgion  are  adapted  to  make  a  very  unfavorable 
impression  on  the  minds  of  sensible  men.  They  as- 
sume a  demure  and  sanctimonious  air,  and  speak  in 
an  affected  and  drawling  tone  ;  often  sighing,  and 
lifting  up  their  eyes,  and  giving  audible  utterance  to 
their  ejaculations.  Now,  these  persons  maybe,  and 
1  doubt  not,  often  are,  truly  pious ;  but  the  impres- 
sioti  made  on  most  minds,  by  this  aflectation  of 
rehgious  solemnity,  is,  that  they  are  hypocrites,  who 
aim  at  being  thought  imcommonly  devout.  It  ap- 
pears to  me,  that  rehgion  never  appears  so  lovely,  as 
when  she  wears  the  dress  of  perfect  simplicity.  We 
ought  not,  indeed,  to  be  ashamed  of  our  religion  be- 


>^       OF  THE  '^ 

INTRODUCTO^/ifTBHBt^y  J-^g  Jlp-J 

fore  the  world ;  but  it  behoJ^^^to  l^^^^^'^isaJpe* 
ful,  not  to  give  to  others  an  uifi^S|MiJM^inion  of 
serious  piety.  The  rule  is,  *'  Let  your  light  so  shine, 
that  others  seeing  your  good  works,  may  glorify  your 
Father  who  is  in  heaven."  "  Let  not  your  good  be 
evil  spoken  of." 

But  the  aspect  and  character  of  the  piety  of  one 
age  may  differ  from  that  of  another,  more  from  the 
peculiar  circumstances  in  which  Christians  are 
placed,  than  from  the  prevalence  of  erroneous  views 
or  incorrect  habits.  In  one  age,  vital  piety  seeks 
retirement,  and  runs  in  hidden  channels.  At  such  a 
time,  the  attention  of  Christians  is  turned  chiefly  on 
themselves.  Much  time  is  devoted  to  devotional 
exercises  ;  often  whole  days.  The  secret  recesses  of 
the  heart  are  explored  with  diligence  and  rigor  ;  in- 
dwelling sin  is  detected  in  its  multiform  appearances, 
and  is  mortified  with  invincible  resolution  ;  the  va- 
rious means  of  personal  growth  in  grace  are  studied, 
and  used  with  persevering  assiduity ;  and  much  use- 
ful knowledge  of  the  nature  of  the  spiritual  life  in 
the  soul  is  acquired.  But  while  vital  piety  is  thus 
carefully  cultivated,  and  the  attention  is  earnestly 
turned  to  the  exercises  of  the  heart,  there  may  be 
very  little  display  of  active,  enlarged  benevolence  ; 
there  may  be  few  vigorous  efforts  made  to  mehorate 
the  condition  of  the  multitudes  perishing  in  sin. 
Under  the  influence  of  these  defective  views  of  the 


22  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

nature  of  religion,  many  pious  persons,  in  the  early 
ages  of  Christianity,  withdrew  entirely  from  the 
world,  and  lived  in  the  wilderness ;  which  mistake 
occasioned  innumerable  evils  to  the  church,  the 
effects  of  which  are  not  yet  obliterated. 

The  spirit  of  piety  among  the  Reformers  seems  to 
have  been  pure  and  vigorous,  but  not  as  expansive 
as  it  might  have  been.  They  seem  scarcely  to  have 
thought  of  the  hundreds  of  milHons  of  heathen  in 
the  world  ;  and  of  course,  made  no  efforts  to  extend 
the  knowledge  of  salvation  to  them.  Indeed,  they 
were  so  much  occupied  at  home,  in  contending  for 
the  faith  against  the  Romanists,  that  they  had  little 
time  left  for  benevolent  enterprises  at  a  distance ; 
but  if  that  zeal  which  was  worse  than  wasted  in 
controversy  vrith  one  another,  had  been  directed  to 
the  conversion  of  the  heathen,  their  usefulness  would 
have  been  far  greater  than  it  was. 

The  Puritans,  also,  although  profoundly  acquainted 
with  experimental  religion,  seemed  to  have  confined 
their  attention  too  exclusively  to  themselves.  Their 
ministers  were,  it  is  true,  silenced,  and  driven  into 
vomers  and  into  exile,  by  an  imgrateful  and  tyran- 
nical government ;  but  it  seems  wonderful  to  us,  that 
when  prevented  from  preaching  the  Gospel  to  their 
own  countrymen,  they  did  not  turn  to  the  gentiles. 
But  the  era  of  missions  had  not  yet  arrived,  and 
probably  they  had  but  small  opportunit)',  in  their 


INTRODUCTORY    ESSAY.  23 

persecuted  state,  of  uniting  their  counsels,  or  com- 
bining their  energies  in  schemes  of  distant  benevo- 
lence. One  thing,  however,  is  now  manifest,  that 
the  providence  of  God  overruled  the  retirement  and 
leisure  of  those  godly  ministers  who  were  ejected 
from  their  charges,  so  as  to  render  their  labors  more 
useful  to  the  church  than  if  they  had  been  permitted 
to  spend  their  lives  in  preaching  the  Gospel ;  for, 
when  deprived  of  the  liberty  of  employing  their 
tongues,  they  betook  themselves  to  their  pens,  and 
they  have  left  to  the  church  such  a  body  of  practical 
and  casuistical  theology,  as  all  ages,  before  or  since, 
cannot  equal.  I  have  no  doubt,  that  such  men  as 
Owen,  Baxter,  Flavel,  Bunyan,  Goodwin,  Manton, 
Howe,  and  Bates,  have  effected  much  more  good  by 
their  practical  writings,  than  they  could  possibly  have 
done  by  their  preaching,  supposing  them  to  have  been 
ever  so  successful. 

But  our  lot  is  cast  in  a  different  age,  and  in  a  dif- 
ferent state  of  the  church.  After  a  long  slumber, 
the  attention  of  Christians  has  been  aroused  to  con- 
sider the  perishing  condition  of  the  heathen.  We 
live  in  a  period  when  great  designs  are  entertained, 
and  plans  formed  for  the  conversion  of  the  whole 
world ;  when  one  benevolent  enterprise  or  institution 
follows  another  in  rapid  succession,  until  the  Chris- 
tian community  begins  to  exhibit  an  entirely  new 
aspect  firom  what  it  did  within  our  own  remem- 


24  VOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

brance.  Ghristians  have  begun  to  feel,  that  by  a 
combination  of  effort,  they  have  power  to  accom- 
pHsh  much.  The  public  attention  is  kept  awake  by 
the  frequent  recurrence  of  pubhc  meetings  of  an  in- 
teresting kind,  and  by  that  more  potent  engine,  the 
wide  circulation  of  religious  periodicals,  by  wliich, 
interesting  intelligence  is  conveyed  to  almost  every 
comer  of  our  extensive  country.  The  duty  of  Chris- 
tians to  be  active,  is  now  inculcated  in  almost  every 
form  ;  Tracts  are  multipHed  ;  the  Scriptures  are  cir- 
culated ;  the  young  and  ignorant  are  instructed  by 
new  methods ;  and  many  are  found  running  to  and 
fro  to  promote  the  propagation  of  evangehcal  truth. 
Revivals  of  religion,  also,  are  exerting  a  mighty  in- 
fluence on  the  church.  The  number  of  serious  Chris- 
tians is  vastly  increased ;  and  many  youth  are  brought 
forward  to  a  course  of  preparation  for  the  gospel 
ministry.  A  spirit  of  liberaHty  also  is  witnessed, 
unknown  to  our  fathers  ;  and  the  duty  of  consecrating 
to  the  Lord  a  reasonable  proportion  of  all  their  in- 
crease, is  beginning  to  be  extensively  felt  among 
serious  Christians.  And  such  is  the  spirit  of  enter- 
prise, that  no  undertaking  appears  too  arduous,  which 
has  for  its  object  the  advancement  of  the  Redeemer's 
kingdom :  and  such  is  the  favor  of  heaven  towards 
benevolent  enterprises  in  our  day,  that  scarcely  one 
has  failed  of  accompHshing  some  good ;  and  although 
the  schemes  of  benevolence  are  so  various  and  so 


INTRODUCTORY   ESSAY.  25 

multiplied,  yet  there  has  occurred  no  sensihle  inter- 
ference of  one  with  another.  As  they  all  aim  at  the 
same  object,  so  they  are  all  viewed  as  parts  of  the 
same  great  system  of  operations.  Now,  in  all  these 
favorable  appearances  and  benevolent  exertions, 
every  pious  heart  must  and  will  rejoice. 

But  is  there  no  danger,  that  many  who  feel  in- 
terested in  the  operations  of  the  day,  and  contribute 
to  their  advancement,  should  be  mistaken  as  to  their 
true  spiritual  condition  ?  "When  a  powerful  current 
takes  a  set,  many  will  be  carried  alojig  with  it, 
whichever  way  it  may  run.  And  is  there  no  danger 
that  Christians  themselves,  while  they  seem  to  flour- 
ish in  external  profession,  zeal,  and  activity,  may 
be  decaying  at  the  root,  for  want  of  sufficient  atten- 
tion to  their  ovm  hearts,  and  to  the  duties  of  the 
closet  ?  There  is,  indeed,  much  reason  to  fear  that 
many  professors  now  exist,  who  confine  their  religion 
too  much  to  those  external  acts  which  may  be  per- 
formed from  motives  no  higher  than  those  which 
operate  on  unrenewed  men.  The  danger  now  is, 
that  the  religion  of  the  heart  will  be  neglected,  and 
that  many  will  feel  well  satisfied  with  themselves, 
on  account  of  their  activity  and  zeal,  who  are  yet 
Btrangers  to  a  work  of  grace.  This  being  the  point 
on  which  Christians  of  the  present  day  are  liable  to 
err,  it  is  a  matter  of  congratulation,  that  some  writ- 
ers seem  disposed  to  turn  the  attention  of  the  Chris- 


26  VOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

tian  public  to  the  importance  of  diligence  and  punc- 
tuality in  performing  the  duties  of  the  closet.  The 
following  letters  are  well  calculated  to  produce  this 
effect.  They  were  forwarded  to  me  by  an  esteemed 
young  clergj^man,  who  is  settled  as  a  pastor  in  a  dis- 
tant and  retired  village.  They  were  addressed,  as 
the  author  has  stated  in  his  preface,  to  a  young  lady 
of  highly  respectable  connections,  upon  the  occasion 
of  her  making  a  public  profession  of  religion.  The 
father  of  this  young  lady,  w^ho  is  distinguished  for 
his  benevolence  and  evangelical  piety,  was  unwilling 
that  the  pious  and  judicious  counsels,  and  affection- 
ate exhortations  which  they  contain,  should  be 
limited  to  an  individual,  since  they  are  so  well 
adapted  to  be  useful  to  Christians  generally,  and 
especially  to  the  young,  placed  in  circumstances  sim- 
ilar to  those  of  the  person  to  whom  they  were  orig- 
inally addressed.  A  request  was  therefore  made  for 
their  publication.  The  author,  through  modesty, 
has  withheld  his  name,  but  has  requested  me  to  in- 
troduce them  to  the  public  with  some  preliminary 
essay  of  my  own ;  with  which  request  I  have  here 
?omphed,  believing  that  the  letters  of  my  young 
friend  are  seasonable,  judicious,  and  pious,  and  that 
as  they  are  written  in  an  ornate  and  animated  style., 
they  will  be  extensively  perused  by  the  yoimg. 

A.  ALEXANDER 

Peinceton,  N.  J. 


ADVICE 

TO 

A    YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 


LETTER  I. 


FOEMING    AN    ELEVATED    CHRISTIAN 
CHARACTER. 

Dear  Young  Friend — ^You  are  very  young  to  pro- 
fess the  high  character  of  a  Christian ;  but  your 
youth,  while  it  serves  as  a  caution,  should  not  oper- 
ate as  a  discouragement.  Many  a  person  of  fewer 
years,  and  with  less  advantages,  has  not  only  given 
satisfactory  evidence  of  conversion,  but  proved,  in 
subsequent  life,  to  be  of  that  number  whose  "  path 
shine th  more  and  more,  unto  the  perfect  day." 

It  becomes  you,  however,  to  look  narrowly  into 
the  evidences  of  such  a  change.  A  mistake  here 
will  prove  fatal.  The  word  of  God  and  prayer  are 
the  great  means,  which,  if  faithfully  applied,  will  in 
due  time  develope  your  true  moral  character.  If 
you  have  been  deceived,  if  yet  in  your  sins,  these 
duties  will  ere  long  become  irksome,  and  be  loosely 


28  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

performed  or  utterly  neglected.  If  you  have  bee?i 
regenerated,  you  will  not  only  persevere  in  these 
duties,  but  will  find  that  they  elicit  more  and  more 
of  your  interest,  until  you  arrive  at  a  well-groimded 
hope  of  eternal  fehcity. 

Taking  for  granted  that  you  do  not  make  this  pro^ 
fession  on  slight  grounds,  nor  with  inadequate  or 
erroneous  views,  my  object,  in  a  few  letters  which 
I  shall  address  to  you,  will  be  to  urge  you  to  the 
formation  of  an  elevated  Christian  character.  You 
profess  to  have  taken  the  first  step  in  the  strait  and 
narrow  way ;  but  recollect,  it  is  cmly  the  first  step. 
The  concentrated  gaze  of  many  eyes  is  upon  you. 
Some  would  exult  in  your  downfall — others  rejoice 
in  your  advancement.  Invisible  and  wicked  spirits 
will  tempt  you  to  ruin.  Good  and  guardian  angels 
will  watch  around  your  steps,  and  rejoice  in  your 
victories.  To  sustain  yourself  ^gw.  have  already  been 
convinced  is  impossible.  If  you  are  regenerated,  you 
are  not  perfectly  sanctified ;  nor  will  you  be  until 
death  shall  be  swallowed  up  in  victory.  But  as 
Paul  could  do  all  things,  by  the  strength  of  his  Mas- 
ter, so  can  the  weakest  believer ;  and  you  must  ever 
feel  that  the  same  grace  which  brought  you  *'  out  of 
nature's  darkness,"  must  enable  you  to  overcome 
your  enemies,  and  "persevere  unto  the  end." 

As  I  have  touched  upon  this  point,  I  am  forcibly 
reminded  of  the  beautiful  dream  of  the  Rev.  John 


CHRISTIAN    CHARACTER.  29 

Newton,  while  lying  at  anchor  in  the  harbor  of 
Venice,  and  within  sight  of  a  part  of  the  Alps.  For 
the  particulars  I  refer  you  to  his  volumes.  The 
substance  is  as  follows. 

The  anxiety  of  mind  which  he  endured  in  his 
waking  hours,  seemed  to  give  a  coloring  to  his  night- 
vision.  He  felt  himself  in  great  perplexity  and 
horror.  While  musing  on  the  wretchedness  of  his 
condition,  there  appeared  suddenly  a  celestial  figure, 
who  presented  to  him  a  ring,  which  she  said,  if  pre- 
served with  care,  would,  on  every  difficult  occasion, 
resolve  his  doubts,  and  extricate  him  from  trouble. 
He  was  overjoyed  at  the  reception  of  it.  All  his 
fears  seemed  to  subside,  and  a  heavenly  serenity  to 
succeed.  While  in  this  tranquil  and  happy  frame 
of  mind,  another  personage,  of  less  inviting  aspect, 
made  his  appearance,  and,  after  many  flattering 
words  and  artful  insinuations,  prevailed  on  him  ta 
part  with  the  ring.  He  deliberately  dropped  it  over 
the  side  of  the  vessel,  and  it  sunk  to  the  bottom. 
The  flames,  in  an  awful  manner,  immediately  burst 
from  the  mountain,  and  he  seemed  threatened  with 
instant  destruction.  At  this  moment  of  horror,  his 
celestial  friend  again  appeared,  and,  with  a  frown  of 
mingled  love  and  reproof,  upbraided  him  for  listening 
to  the  voice  of  the  tempter.  She  then  descended  . 
mto  the  water,  and  soon  returned  bearing  the  ring, 
and  thus  addressed  him :  **  As  thou  art  imable  to 


30  YOUNG    CHRISTIAIS. 

keep  this  token,  I  will  preserve  it  for  thee,  and  it 
shall  be  secure  for  ever." 

I  have  only  given  you  from  memory  an  outline  of 
this  beautiful  vision.  The  interpretation  which  the 
author  put  upon  it  is  full  of  spiritual  instruction. 
If  left  for  one  moment  to  our  own  strength,  how 
soon  do  we  abandon  the  ''riag,"  even  at  the  first 
suggestion  of  the  tempter.  Then  the  soul  is  af- 
frighted and  dismayed.  But  Jesus,  our  guardian,  is 
able  to  restore  the  "  ring,"  and  lest  we  should  lose 
it,  he,  in  condescension  to  our  infirmities,  deigns  to 
keep  it.  "  I  will  never  leave  thee,  nor  forsake  thee," 
is  his  language.  Thus,  my  dear  young  friend,  intrust 
the  "  ring"  to  Him  who  alone  is  able  to  preserve  it. 
When  the  tempter  comes,  whether  in  the  artful 
guise  of  what  the  world  calls  innocent  pleasure,  or 
the  bold  assaults  of  blasphemy  and  despair,  look  up- 
wards to  Him  who  is  charged  with  the  care  of  all 
that  is  precious  to  the  soul.  Wait  not  mitil  you  are 
overwhelmed  by  the  consciousness  of  contracted 
guilt,  but  flee — oh,  flee,  as  for  your  life,  to  Jesus 
You  cannot  trust  him  too  confidently.  He  will  per- 
mit you  to  sit  even  at  his  feet.  There  is  honor, 
there  is  safety,  there  is  happiness. 

I  congratulate  you  on  the  favorable  circumstances 
in  which  you  are  placed  for  the  formation  of  Chris- 
tian character.  The  work  of  divine  grace  in  which 
you  profess  to  be  a  participant,  is,  I  understand,  still 


CHRISTIAN    CHARACTER.  31 

in  progress.  Doubtless  you  find  some  congenial 
spirits,  with  whom  you  can  mingle  feelings,  unite  in 
mutual  prayer,  and  converse  on  the  sweetest  of  all 
topics,  the  love  of  your  Lord  and  Master.  Let  it  be 
a  principle  with  you,  to  select  as  your  companions 
the  most  heavenly-minded  of  your  sex.  If  such  can 
be  found  in  the  higher  walks  of  life,  very  well ;  be 
they  your  bosom  friends  :  but,  alas,  how  seldom,  in 
the  higher  circles,  does  religion,  in  its  native  simpli- 
city and  purity,  appear.  You  must  seek  it,  I  appre- 
nend,  in  the  low  vale  of  obscurity,  and  often  amid 
the  homely  attire  of  honest  poverty.  If_you  have 
th€5  spiritjof_Christ,  you  will  love  his  image,  though 
arrayed  in  ajiJhLumble  ^arb.  I  know  it  has  ever  been 
the  design  of  your  parents  to  make  you  estimate 
character,  not  by  riches,  nor.fashionable  appearance, 
but  by  intrinsic  moral  worth ;  and  I  am  persuaded 
that  you  must  now  feel,  that  if  Providence  has  given 
you  advantages  of  wealth  and  education  above  the 
plainest  rustic,  it  is  a  ground  of  humility,  inasmuch 
as  it  lays  you  under  the  greater  obligations.  "Where 
**  much  is  given" — oh,  never  forget  it — "  much  will  be 
required."  On  this  principle,  are  you  not  bound  to 
be  humble,  benevolent,  condescending  ? 

In  closing  this  letter,  I  must  say  to  you  as  I  lately 
said  to  a  youth  in  my  congregation,  who  is  about 
makmg  a  public  profession  of  her  faith  in  Christ, 
"  I  hope  you  will  not  be  satisfied  with  being  half  a 


32  YOUNG   CHRISTIAN. 

Chiistian."  So,  my  young  friend,  I  would  exhort 
you  to  aim  higli.  It  is  a  day  to  elevate  the  standard 
of  piety.  "We  want  more  Newels,  and  Huntingtons, 
and  Ramsays,  and  Smelts.  These  were  devoted 
fiouls.  It  was  not  half-way  work  vdth  them.  Re- 
ligion was  "  all  in  all."  For  this  they  hved,  they 
Buffered,  and,  supported  hy  its  consolations,  they 
died.  They  have  left  a  bright  track  for  you  to  fol- 
low. Tread  closely  in  their  steps  ;  and  then,  though 
you  share  in  their  sufferings,  you  shall  also  inherit, 
with  them,  the  *'  crown  of  glory." 


T  E  M  P  T  A  T  I  O  x\  S  .  '33 

LETTER  II. 

TEMPTATIONS. 

Among  the  first  temptations  which  you  will  prob- 
ably experience,  will  be  an  effort,  on  the  part  of  your 
spiritual  enemies,  to  seduce  you  back  to  the  pteasures 
of  the  world.  Sometimes  it  will  be  a  direct  and 
powerful  attack. .  The  ways  of  religion  will  be  rep- 
resented as  difficult,  whilst  those  of  worldly  pleasure 
will  be  strewed  with  flowers.  "  What,"  the  tempter 
will  exclaim,  **  shall  one  so  young,  so  susceptible  of 
enjoyment  from  all  the  varied  delights  of  sense — one 
who  has  it  in  her  power  to  command  almost  any  im- 
aginable happiness— shall  she  put  on  the  grave  aspect 
of  piety,  and  thus  debar  herself  from  every  innocent 
pleasure  ?  Look  abroad,  see  thy  young  companions, 
how  their  hearts  beat  with  rapture,  as  they  float 
amid  the  circles  of  beauty  and  of  fashion.  Why 
shouldst  thou  become  a  sober  religionist,  when  thou 
art  ripening  for  so  much  bliss  ?  In  such  false  and 
flattering  colors  will  the  tempter  array  the  world 
Knowing  that  vanity  is  one  of  the  strongest  princi- 
ples of  our  depraved  nature,  he  will  constantly,  and 
ofteii  successfully,  appeal  to  it.  His  flatteries  will 
respect  your  person,  your  accomphshments,  your  for- 


91  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

tune.  He  will  suggest,  that  wdtli  such  advantages 
the  world  must  pay  you  homage,  and  become  a  sort 
of  perpetual  paradise. 

Had  you,  my  young  friend,  been  one  of  pleasure's 
gay  votaries,  as  I  have  been,  he  could  •not,  and 
probably  he  would  not,  thus  address  you.  I  could 
say,  from  experience.  Thou  seducing  spirit,  what 
thou  say  est  is  false.  Have  I  not  mingled  in  the  fes- 
tival ?•  Have  I  not  courted  pleasure  in  the  brilliant 
assembly  and  the  crowded  theatre,  where  beauty  and 
wealth  have  poured  around  their  shining  and  fasci- 
nating attractions  ?  And  what  did  I  ever  gain  ? 
A  momentary  rapture,  I  admit ;  an  exhilaration  of 
spirits,  and  a  temporary  oblivion  of  my  cares.  But 
this  was  all.  And  even  these  transitory  joys  were 
not  unalloyed.  Jealousy,  and  envy,  and  hatred,  and 
disappointment,  would  occasionally  let  fall  the  bitter 
drop,  as  the  cup  was  passing  to  the  lip  ;  and  satiety, 
disgust,  and  self-loathing  would  succeed.  But  con- 
science was  more  powerful  than  all.  What  restless 
hours  of  wakeful  solicitude,  what  anticipated  wrath, 
what  vain  resolutions,  what  unavailing  regrets  I 
And  shall  the  tempter  tell  me  that  the  pleasures  of 
the  world  are  worthy  to  be  preferred  to  the  calm 
dehght  of  communion  with  God,  and  the  high  en- 
joyments of  religion  ?  "He  was  a  liar  from  the 
beginning ;"  and  when,  my  young  Christian  friend, 
he   assaults  you  with  such  suggestions,  or  when, 


JT^     of  the         '^ 

TEMPTATIO^UJY;g|{,^lT 

througli  his  emissaries  in  human^foiAAhfi  sfflJll-Sft^  \  p* 
duce  you  from  your  allegiance,  recSBj^JfifmB  charac- 
ter, resist   his   suggestions — and,   according  to  the 
promise,  "  he  will  flee  from  you." 

But  it  is  far  more  prohahle,  that  his  insinuations 
will  "he  almost  imperceptible .  A  direct  and  power- 
ful attack  may  throw  a  Christian  on  his  face,  and 
overwhelm  him  with  agony  ;  hut  Judah's  lion  shall 
appear,  and  afiright  the  bold  adversary.  It  is  when 
your  spiritual  enemies  are  making  a  gradual  advance 
on  your  purity  and  devotedness,  that  they  are  most 
to  be  dreaded,  as  most  likely  to  be  successful.  Now, 
you  are,  I  trust,  conscientious  in  the  discharge  of  the 
duty  of  private  devotion.  You  love  to  retire  from 
human  observation,  to  commune  with  God.  I  would 
fain  believe,  that  you  are  never  so  happy  as  when 
thus  engaged  ;  that  you  have  a  consecrated  spot, 
which  you  call  your  Bethel,  where  the  soul  daily 
drinks  in  the  waters  of  life. 

Happy,  dear  youth,  happy  w^ill  you  be,  if  that 
Bethel  is  always  thus  attractive  and  interesting. 
But  the  great  danger  is,  that  it  will  be  neglected,  and 
perhaps  forsaken.  You  are  ready  to  exclaim,  "  Im- 
possible ;  I  shall  never  cease  to  pray.  I  could  soonei 
dispense  with  my  daily  food,  than  forego  the  privi- 
leges of  a  throne  of  grace."  This  is  the  language  of 
sincerity,  I  doubt  not.  You  verily  think  so ;  but 
how  httle  do  you  know  the  temptations  which  sur- 


96  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

round  you,  and  the  deceitfulness  of  your  own  heart  ? 
You  have  much  to  fear. 

When  called  myself  from  nature's  darkness,  and 
made,  as  I  hope,  to  taste  the  sweetness  of  redeeming 
love,  I  was  of  the  same  opinion.  I  had  waked  up 
in  a  new  world.  'TM^as  as  if  the  Creator  had  formed 
a  new  heing,  akm  to  the  happy  spirits  m  heaven,  and 
dropped  him  on  the  earth  in  the  spring-time  of  na- 
ture's magnificence  and  beauty.  The  foliage  seemed 
greener  and  fresher  than  ever.  The  dew-drops  glit- 
tered more  brilliantly ;  the  sky  looked  purer ;  and 
every  thing  seemed  to  shine  and  wave  in  silent  but 
emphatic  praise  of  God  their  Creator.  My  soul  beat 
in  happy  unison  with  these  silent  worshippers,  and 
methought  I  could  never  cease  to  sing  and  pray. 
My  very  being  seemed  to  consist  in  it.  But  has  it 
been  so  ever  since  ?  Oh,  ye  hours  of  anguish,  ye  days 
of  sensuality,  ambition,  and  folly ;  ye  can  say  how 
guilty,  how  careless,  how  ungratefid  I  have  been. 
Little  did  I  then  dream  of  loving  and  serving  the 
world.  I  thought  I  could  have  spent  an  eternity  of 
happiness  on  some  lonely  rock  in  the  ocean,  if  God 
were  with  me  there.  I  thought  my  soul  would 
never  forsake  him,  nor  my  voice  ever  be  silent  in  his 
praise.  But  I  knew  not  my  own  heart,  nor  the 
power  of  the  world's  allurements. 

Now  do  not  suppose,  that  because  I  and  others 
have  been  tempted  to  backslide,  and  have  yielded  to 


TEMPTATIONS.  37 

the  temptation,  you  must  necessarily  follow  our  dis- 
graceful defection.  I  hope  you  never  will.  If  you 
are  a  child  of  God,  you  need  not.  You  may  go 
"  from  strength  to  strength."  You  may  accomplish 
victory  after  victory.     God  grant  that  you  may. 

But  should  you,  by  mournful  experience,  have  to 
look  upon  yourself  as  a  backslider,  you  will  remember 
this  warning,  and  wish  you  had  heeded  it.  Like  the 
prodigal,  you  will  be  in  spiritual  beggary.  I  know 
of  no  condition,  except  that  of  hardened  impenitence, 
more  pitiable  than  the  condition  of  a  backsHder.  Con- 
science is  too  quick  to  allow  him  to  enjoy  the  world  ; 
and  religion  is  too  much  neglected  to  yield  him  the 
smallest  comfort.  He  lives  in  disquietude  and  an- 
guish, until  he  repents,  and  finds  anew  the  favor  of 
his  God. 


96  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

LETTER  III. 

DANGER  OF  BACKSLIDING. 

In  my  last,  I  touched  upon  the  subject  of  tempta- 
tion. I  am  constrained  to  add  a  few  words  more  on 
the  same  subject.  It  has  been  too  common  for  those 
who  have  betrayed  their  Lord  by  a  disgraceful  return 
to  the  world,  to  predict  the  same  defection  in  others. 
Hence,  you  often  hear  professors  of  rehgion  address 
the  youthful  convert  in  such  language  as  the  follow- 
ing :  "  Your  present  ardor  is  no  proof  that  it  will 
continue  ;  now  you  are  all  joy,  all  devotion  ;  by  and 
by  the  scene  vvdll  be  changed.  I  once  felt  as  you 
now  feel ;  perhaps  I  enjoyed  more  ecstatic  pleasure  ; 
but  I  soon  lost  the  glow  of  my  first  love,  and  so  will 
you.  A  few  years  will  cool  you  down,  and  show  you 
that  such  engagedness  cannot  always  last." 

"When  I  hear  such  language  addressed  to  the  young 
Christian,  I  am  indignant.  It  is  not  necessarily  true ; 
my  yoimg  friend,  it  is  not  true.  The  Bible,  which  is 
the  only  "  lamp  to  our  path,"  gives  no  warrant  for 
Buch  a  prediction.  True,  it  represents  the  cases  of 
many  who  at  first  bade  fair,  but  subsequently  apos- 
tatized. It  records  the  cases  of  such,  as  a  flaming 
beacon,  to  warn  those  who  should  come  after  them. 
But  does  it  not  represent  the  path  of  the  just,  as  **  the 


BACKSLIDING.  39 

shining  light,  which  sliineth  more  and  more  unt6  the 
perfect  day?"  Does  it  not  say,  that  he  who  hath 
clean  hands,  shall  grow  "  stronger  and  stronger  ?" 
Does  it  not  urge  us  to  ^'  grow  in  grace,"  to  "  forget 
the  things  which  are  behind,"  and  "  reach  towards 
those  which  are  before  ?"  to  make  Christ  our  mark, 
and  press  towards  it,  with  all  the  energy  of  an  Olym- 
pic racer,  struggling  in  competition  for  the  goal  ? 

Now,  I  warn  you  not  to  listen  to  such  cold  predic- 
tions. They  who  make  them  from  their  own  expe- 
rience, may  have  been  hypocrites.  They  may  have 
felt  something,  which  they  called  spiritual  joy  ;  but 
perhaps  it  was  **  Satan  transformed  into  an  angel  of 
light :"  perhaps  it  was  the  workings  of  their  own 
imaginations,  and  not  the  legitimate  fruits  of  the 
Spirit.  Let  them  take  heed  to  themselves,  lest  they 
have  been  deceived ;  and  not  allure  others  on,  in 
their  down-hill  course,  by  their  disgraceful  example. 
But  suppose  them  to  have  been  Christians — and  I 
allow  that  a  Christian  may  grow  cold,  and  backslide 
In  the  service  of  God — ^is  such  language  warranted 
Dy  the  word  of  God  ?  Is  it  likely  to  urge  forward 
the  young  convert  in  the  path  of  holiness  ?  Is  it 
likely  to  raise  the  standard  of  piety  in  the  souls  of 
Dthers  ?  No  ;  far  from  it.  Young  converts  are  prone 
to  copy  those  who  are  older  and  more  experienced 
If  they  are  persuaded  that  it  is  consistent  with  the 
existence  of  piety  to  grow  cold  in  feeling,  they  will 


40  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

probably  yield  to  the  seductions  of  the  world,  and 
the  temptations  of  Satan.  They  will  not  press  for- 
ward ;  they  will  recede.  They  will  take  the  cold, 
dead  level  of  their  predecessors. 

But,  my  young  friend,  be  you  warned  by  this,  not 
to  listen  to  such  language  for  a  moment;  nor  to 
suppose  it  must  be  true  in  your  case.  I  do  assure 
you,  your  Bible  holds  a  different  language.  As  you 
value  your  comfort,  your  peace  of  mind,  your  inamor- 
tal  hopes,  your  character  as  a  Christian,  your  influ- 
ence as  a  follower  of  the  Lamb,  press  forward.  .  Strive 
every  day  to  make  some  new  attaiimnents  in  know- 
ledge and  hohness.  You  are  engaged  in  a  conflict. 
You  have  put  on  the  armor  of  God ;  and  put  it  off 
for  a  moment  you  must  not.  Your  enemies  are  nu- 
merous, vigilant,  and  powerful.  You  must  contend 
every  day  :  nor  must  you  think  of  rest  or  relaxation. 
When  death  shall  unbind  for  you  the  gospel  armor, 
and  you  hear  the  dark  waves  of  Jordan  lashing  these 
mortal  shores,  then,  and  not  till  then,  will  your  strug- 
gles be  ended,  and  your  victory  complete.  You  have 
counted  the  cost ;  do  not  shrink  at  the  cross.  Christ 
will  be  with  you.  Christ  will  support  you.  Under 
his  banner  you  contend.  His  arm  will  shield  you, 
and  his  grace  bring  you  off  more  than  conqueror. 

I  have  digressed  a  little  from  the  point  at  which 
I  aimed.  I  wished  to  caution  you  particularly,  con- 
cerning the  first  step  in  a  backward  course.     The 


BACKSLIDING.  41 

first  step  in  the  retreat  is  an  important  one  It  is 
needful,  therefore,  to  say,  that  generally,  that  step 
commences  at  the  closet.  Prayer  is  the  strong  hold 
to  which  the  young  Christian  generally  resorts.  In 
doubts  and  difficulties,  a  throne  of  grace  is  his  refuge. 
If  the  "devouring  lion"  roar,  thither  the  lamb  will 
flee,  and  house  itself  in  the  bosom  of  its  shepherd. 
If  the  world  entice,  and  for  a  moment  soil  his  purity, 
thither  he  repairs,  and  the  stain  is  washed  out  in  the 
blood  of  Jesus.  If  the  path  of  duty  be  not  obvious, 
if  perplexity  attend  his  course,  at  a  throne  of  grace 
there  is  light  and  direction.  Hence,  it  will  be  an 
important  advantage  to  your  enemies,  if  they  can 
draw  you  from  this  palladium,  this  strong  tower  of 
defence.  Keep  alive,  then,  I  beseech  you,  to  the  first 
symptom  of  declension  in  prayer.  Prayer  is  a  diffi- 
cult, often  an  arduous  work ;  but  it  is  the  life  and 
soul  of  a  Christian.  It  is  not  only  his  incumbent 
duty,  but  his  most  precious  privilege. 

!N"ow,  it  will  be  the  aim  of  the  tempter,  to  with- 
draw you  from  being  "  instant  in  prayer."  He  knows 
what  a  powerful  weapon  it  is  ;  and  therefore  he  wiU 
endeavor  to  wrest  it  out  of  your  hands.  He  will 
represent  it  as  an  irksome  duty.  He  will  suggest 
that  fewer  and  shorter  prayers  will  answer.  He  wiU 
interpose  obstacles  between  you  and  your  closet.  He 
will  divert  your  attention  while  there,  and  then  taunt 
you  with  your  coldness  and  your  folly.     He  will  say 


42  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

that  your,  prayers  are  hypocritical — insincere — an 
abomination  to  God.  He  will  suggest,  that  noAV  you 
are  not  in  a  good  frame — advise  you  to  put  it  off 
until  you  feel  in  a  better.  Thus  will  he  try  every 
art,  and  use  every  machination  to  draw  you  from 
this  refuge  of  your  soul.  But,  ''  Get  thee  behind  me, 
Satan,"  must  be  your  reply  to  all  such  suggestions. 
You  must  cling  closer  to  the  "horns  of  the  altar." 
You  must  "  bind  the  sacrifice  with  cords,"  if  you  can^ 
not  keep  it  there.  You  must  give  yourself  to  prayer, 
and  to  the  word  of  God.  Like  the  vestals,  you  must 
live  at  the  altar. 


PRAYER  43 

LETTER   IV. 

PRAYER. 

I  FEEL  constrained,  my  young  friend,  to  add  some- 
tliing  more  on  the  subject  of  prayer.  This  duty,  in 
my  view,  is  of  such  importance  as  to  warrant  a  few 
more  remarks ;  although  I  do  not  intend  enlarging 
on  a  subject  upon  which  so  much,  and  such  excellent 
things  have  been  written. 

You  were  taught  by  your  pious  parents,  to  utter  a 
form  of  prayer,  as  soon  as  your  infant  mind  could 
comprehend,  and  your  infant  tongue  enunciate  a 
sentence.  In  looking  back  upon  these  juvenile  devo- 
tions, you  doubtless  see  wherein  they  were  deficient. 
Your  ideas  of  the  Being  to  whom  they  were  addressed, 
were  confused  and  inadequate.  You  could  not  then 
comprehend  the  necessity  of  a  Mediator ;  for  as  yet 
you  had  not  discovered  the  evil  of  sin,  and  the  wrath 
of  God,  as  revealed  against  it.  You  had  too  deep  a 
sense  of  obligation,  to  neglect  prayer  entirely ;  but 
of  the  real  nature  and  efficacy  of  prayer,  you  had 
little  conception.  To  your  mind,  prayer  was  a  form 
of  words  to  be  repeated  at  stated  intervals.  When 
thus  repeated,  the  obligation  was  discharged.  This 
was  probably  all  you  knew  about  prayer. 

But  shall  parents  omit  to  inculcate  this  duty  oir 
their  children,  because  they  cannot  comprehend  the 


44  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

nature  of  it?  Certainly  not.  How  can  they  tell 
but  that,  when  they  have  taught  the  little  prattler 
to  compose  himself  to  rest  with  his  famihar  and 
simple  petitions,  the  Spirit  of  God  may  enlighten  the 
child  into  the  spiritual  import  of  liis  prayer,  and  make 
it  a  means  of  leading  him  to  more  enlarged  petitions, 
offered  up  "  in  spirit  and  in  truth  ?"  No  person  can 
estimate  the  advantages  of  early  imbuing  the  youth- 
ful mind  with  a  sense  of  its  obligations  to  God.  Such 
instructions  should  commence  with  the  first  dawn 
of  intellect ;  and  sure  I  am,  that  in  subsequent  life, 
the  subject  of  them  will  generally  be  the  better  and 
the  happier. 

To  illustrate  this,  I  will  recur  again  to  my  own 
case.  I  was  taught  by  one  of  the  best  of  mothers, 
never  to  close  my  eyes  without  repeating  my  prayers. 
This  I  conscientiously  adhered  to,  until  about  thir- 
teen or  fourteen  years  of  age,  when  I  began  gradu- 
ally to  omit  them.  Whether  I  felt  that  they  were 
too  childish,  or  whether,  as  is  most  probable,  my 
conscience  was  becoming  seared  in  the  down-hill 
course  of  iniquity,  I  cannot  now  remember.  But  at 
all  events,  my  prayers  were  no  longer  offered  ;  and  I 
went  to  sleep  and  rose  up  like  a  brute.  With  the 
omission  of  these  prayers  commenced  a  retrograde 
movement  in  morals,  imtil  I  hung  over  the  abyss  of 
ruin,  ripe  for  the  judgments  of  God.  And  what  do 
you  suppose  occurred  first  to  rousf  me  from  the  fatal 


PRAYER.  45 

slumbers  of  death  ?  As  I  was  retiring  one  night, 
the  recollection  of  my  former  punctilious  attention 
to  prayer  rushed  upon  my  mind.  I  paused.  **  "What/* 
said  I  to  myself,  '*  am  I  going  to  lie  down  without 
one  thought  of  God,  or  offering  one  prayer  for  the 
safety  of  my  soul  ?  Did  I  not  once  repeat  my  pray- 
ers ;  and  at  a  time  too  when  I  was  far  less  guilty 
than  now  ?  'V\Tiy  have  I  omitted  them  so  long  ? 
Suppose  I  should  die  this  night,  where  then  would 
my  soul  he?"  "With  such  reflections  I  became  im- 
pressed ;  and  although  I  did  not  kneel  that  night, 
vet  in  a  recumbent  posture  I  began  again  to  repeat 
my  juvenile  devotions.  I  was  nearly  seventeen  years 
of  age  when  I  resumed  them.  I  had  almost  forgot 
ten  them.  A  few  days  and  nights  rolled  away,  and 
convictions  grew  heavier  on  my  soul.  I  thought  a 
repetition  of  these  forms  was  not  enough.  My  soul 
began  to  sink  in  the  deep  waters ;  and  a  few  more 
days  brought  me  on  my  knees  at  the  bedside,  with 
the  prayer  of  the  publican,  "  God  be  merciful  to  me 
a  sinner." 

Thus,  my  young  friend,  were  my  mother's  early 
instructions  among  the  means,  under  God,  of  rescu- 
ing me  from  ruin,  temporal  and  eternal.  Thus  it  is 
evident,  that  the  sooner  children  are  taught  to  pray, 
the  better  ;  and  no  assiduity  can  be  too  great  to  im 
press  on  them  the  obligation  and  the  necessity  of 
prayer. 


46  YOUNG   CHRISTIAN.       - 

Still,  I  believe .  that  tlie  Christian  only  prays  thb 
acceptable  prayer.  Until  the  Spirit  of  G  od  convince 
of  sin,  the  soul  will  not  see  its  odiousness,  nor  pray 
for  its  removal.  The  danger  to  which  it  is  exposed 
here  and  hereafter,  it  may  see ;  and  it  may  depre- 
cate the  punishment  to  which  it  is  subjected ;  but 
it  is  only  when  the  soul  is  renewed  in  the  image 
of  God,  that  '^  sin  appears  exceeding  sinful,"  and 
that  the  effectual  fervent  prayer  for  sanctification  is 
offered. 

If  you  are  a  Christian,  my  young  friend,  the  throne 
of  grace  is  yours.  Your  Father  is  seated  on  it.  Your 
Saviour  Jias  sprinkled  it  with  his  blood.  The  Holy 
Spirit  draws  you  sweetly  to  kneel  before  it ;  and  the 
promise,  when  there,  is,  "  Open  your  mouth  wide, 
and  I  will  fill  it."  What  an  honor  thus  to  approach 
the  King  of  kings.  Were  we  to  have  audience  with 
an  earthly  monarch,  we  should  deem  it  an  era  in  our 
history,  and  boast  of  it  through  life.  But  you,  and 
I,  and  others,  may  have  audience  with  the  King  of 
the  universe.  Nay,  we  have  hberty  to  approach  him 
at  any  time,  and  mider  all  circumstances.  Have  we 
wants,  he  can  supply  them.  Are  we  in  trouble,  he 
can  extricate  us.  Do  afflictions  press  our  souls,  he 
can  mitigate  and  remove  them.  Does  sin  pollute 
our  joys,  with  him  is  the  foiuitain  of  cleansing.  Doea 
Satan  vex  our  souls,  he  invites  us  to  his  arms  as  our 
refuge.     All  relief  and  every  blessing  is  with  God. 


PRAYER  47 

There  is  nothing  which  so  elevates  a  character, 
and  especially  a  female  character,  as  deep  and  inti- 
mate communion  with  God.  She  seems  then  to  be 
allied  to  angelic  natures.  A  sort  of  mellow  radiance 
is  poured  into  her  character,  as  if  some  particles  of 
heaven's  glory  had  been  let  fall  upon  her.  She 
moves  in  a  higher  sphere  than  the  generality  of  her 
sex.  She  is  another  being  than  those  idle,  sickly 
daughters  of  pleasure,  who  waste  their  lives  in  dream- 
ing fanciful  visions  of  happiness,  sporting  a  while  amid 
life's  tumultuous  joys,  and  then  smking  unblessed 
into  a  wretched  eternity.  She  converses  with  God. 
At  a  throne  of  grace  she  acquires  a  benevolence,  a 
dignity,  a  humility,  which  throw  around  her  an  at- 
tractive lustre,  put  sweetness  into  every  action  and 
expression,  make  her  contented  in  every  condition  of 
life,  patient  mider  every  affliction,  faithful  in  the 
discharge  of  every  duty,  and  which  even  grace  her 
dying  hours,  and  make  her  **  death-bed  privileged 
beyond  the  common  walks  of  life." 


48  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN 

LETTER  V, 
PRAYER— CONTINUED. 

There  are  three  inquiries,  my  young  friend,  re- 
specting prayer,  which  every  conscientious  Christian 
will  be  likely  to  institute.  How  ought  I  to  pray, 
when,  or  at  what  times,  and  for  what  things  ?  These 
are  important  inquiries.  A  full  and  satisfactory  an- 
swer I  feel  myself  unable  to  give.  I  shall,  in  my 
desultory  way,  barely  touch  upon  each. 

Those  who  worship  God,  are  bound  to  **  worship 
him  in  spirit  and  in  truth."  In  spirit,  as  opposed  to 
the  mere  external  ceremonies.  The  Jews  and  the 
Samaritans,  at  the  time  our  Lord  uttered  the  predic- 
tion just  alluded  to,  were  reposing  an  unfounded  con- 
fidence in  the  mere  forms  and  ceremonies  of  their 
religion  ;  while,  in  the  emphatic  language  of  mspira- 
tion,  their  "  hearts  were  far  from  God." 

We  must  pray,  then,  with  the  spirit.  The  heart 
must  be  in  the  work,  or  it  will  be  insincere  and  inef- 
fectual. The  duakers,  you  know,  reject  all  external 
forms.  They  may  be  regarded  as  on  one  extreme. 
The  Jews  and  Catholics,  having  a  multitude  of  forms, 
are  on  the  other.  I  would  not  insinuate,  that  among 
duakers  and  CathoHcs,  there  are  no  sincere  worsliip- 
oers ;  far  from  it.     I  believe  there  are  many  devout 


PRAYER.  49 

Christians  among  both.  I  am  persuaded,  for  my  own 
part,  that  some  attention  to  form  and  circumstance 
is  an  important  auxiliary  to  us  poor  weak  mortals, 
in  our  attempts  to  worship  God.  In  my  own  expe- 
rience, I  have  found  the  benefit  of  it.  For  example, 
when  I  have  a  particular  room  allotted  to  my  devo- 
tions— a  certain  place  in  that  room,  where  I  am 
accustomed  to  kneel — a  degree  of  obscurity  ghed  over 
the  place  by  the  exclusion  of  too  great  a  glare  of 
light ;  all  these  circumstances  are  a  help  to  me,  by 
the  power  of  mental  association.  There  is  nature  in 
this  :  and  God  permits  us  to  have  recourse  to  every 
lawful  auxiliary  in  worshipping  him.  The  great 
point  is,  to  worship  '*  in  spirit  and  in  truth." 

True  worship  is  distinguished  from  false,  inasmuch 
as  the  one  is  scriptural,  but  the  other  is  not.  A  true 
worshipper  views  the  character  of  God  as  it  is  de- 
lineated in  the  Bible.  The  omniscience,  omnipres- 
ence, holiness,  justice,  goodness,  and  truth  of  God, 
are  attributes  of  delightful  contemplation ;  and  cen- 
tering in  one  eternal,  unchangeable,  and  incompre- 
hensible Spirit,  they  excite  his  reverence,  his  confi- 
dence, his  humility,  and  his  love.  He  looks  into  his 
Bible  to  learn  the  character  of  God ;  and,  as  there 
found;  worships  him  in  spirit  and  in  truth. 

But  can  a  guilty  creature,  who  has  violated  every 
obligation  he  is  under  to  his  Creator,  approach  him 
without  the  intervention  of  a  Mediator  ?     I  bring 

y.  Christian.  ^ 


50  \OUiSG    CHRISTIAN. 

this,  question  home  to  myself,  and  inquire,  would  1 
dare,  as  a  suppliant,  to  approach  my  God  and  my 
Creator  in  all  my  uncovered,  aggravated  guilt  ? 
This,  my  young  friend,  is  the  hinge  of  salvation 
The  Socinian  will  tell  me.  Certainly  you  may.  But 
my  ovni  conscience  would  give  a  different  verdict. 
I  see  naught  in  my  life  hut  sin — sin  of  the  most 
aggravated  land  :  I  repeat  these  sins,  and  confess 
them  ;  and  again  repeat  them.  Npw  I  say,  Is  God 
holy  ?  Is  he  opposed  to  sin  ?  Then  must  I  fall 
under  his  wrath  and  curse.  Then  how  can  I  expect 
to  escape  his  indignation  ?  He  is  merciful,  says  the 
Socinian.  True,  he  is  merciful ;  but  is  not  that 
mercy  exercised  in  a  peculiar  way  ?  Is  it  indiscrim- 
inate, unconditional  mercy  ?  Must  not  something 
be  done  to  show  God's  abhorrence  of  my  sins  ? 
Must  not  some  sacrifice  be  made  ?  Now  I  am 
brought  to  the  dehghtful,  soul-cheering  feature  of 
the  Gospel :  ''  God  in  Christ,  reconciling  the  world 
unto  himself,  not  imputing  their  trespasses  unto 
them."  "  He  so  loved  the  world,  that  he  gave  his 
only  begotten  Son,  that  whosoever  believeth  in  him, 
should  not  perish,  but  have  everlasting  life.''  "He 
was  wounded  for  our  transgressions."  On  this  foiui- 
dation  my  soul  finds  firm  footing,  and  I  rest  secure 
in  the  promise  of  eternal  life.  Whosoever  cometh 
unto  the  Father,  therefore,  must  come  through 
Christ ;  and  so  coming,  shall  not  be  cast  out. 


PRAYER.  51 

All  acceptable  prayer  is  rendered  so  by  the  merits 
and  intercession  of  the  divine  Saviour.  He  is  our 
merciful  and  faithful  High-priest.  His  own  blood 
was  shed  for  the  remission  of  our  sins  :  and  the  apos- 
tle says,  "  If  any  man  sin,  we  have  an  advocate  with 
the  Father,  Jesus  Christ  the  righteous."  When  you 
pray+_thexeibre^  never  lose  sight  of  the  Mediator. 
'His  name  is  like  ointment  poured  forth."  The 
sinner's  friend,  he  pleads  the  sinner's  cause.  He 
knows  your  infirmities,  your  temptations,  and  yom 
trials,  and  is  ev§r  ready  to  afford  you  relief. 

The  doctrine  of  the  Trinity  is,  I  know,  offensive 
to  many  who  are  governed  more  by  carnal  reason 
than  by  Scripture  ;  but  to  me,  if  I  am  not  deceived, 
it  is  one  of  the  most  comforting,  cheering,  and  ele- 
vating truths  of  the  Bible.  I  see  the  persons  of  the 
Godhead  harmoniously  engaged  in  my  dehverance. 
In  prayer,  the  Spirit  seems  to  hft  my  lagging  affec- 
tions, and  to  carry  them  upwards,  pouring  hght  into 
the  dark  chambers  of  the  mind.  Jesus  the  Medi- 
ator pleads  my  cause,  even  when  my  own  tongue  is 
dumb  with  grief,  and  my  soul  overwhelmed  with  con- 
scious guilt.  Then  the  throne  of  grace  is  precious,  and 
ths  soul  is  replenished  as  with  marrow  and  fatness. 

I  pity  those  whose  scepticism  has  blotted  out  the 
glory  of  our  Immanuel.  Their  reHgion  is  cold.  It 
warms  not  the  heart ;  it  pacifies  not  the  conscience ; 
it  prompts  to  few  acts  of  self-denial ;  it  almost  ob- 


52  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

literates  the  line  between  tlie  righteous  and  the 
wicked ;  and  it  makes  retribution  a  farce.  After  all, 
it  is  only  a  substitute,  and  a  very  poor  one,  for  the 
glorious  Gospel  of  the  Son  of  God. 

Having  been  inadvertently  led,  by  the  subject,  to 
thcEe  remarks,  I  must  now  return.  In  prayer  we 
must  be  earnest — we  must  be  sincere — we  must 
have  faith  in  the  promises.  The  ''  fervent  prayer 
availeth  much."  '*  Jacob  wrestled  ;"  what  a  strong 
expression.  Jesus,  in  prayer,  sweat  drops  of  blood. 
Paul  prayed  with  tears.  Hannah  wept  at  the  altar. 
All  these  examples,  and  numerous  others,  such  as 
the  widow  pleading  with  the  unjust  judge,  show  the 
necessity  of  earnestness  in  prayer.  Tliis,  I  know,  is 
often  difficult.  You  will  come  to  the  mercy-seat 
with  a  cold  heart  and  wandering  thoughts;  and 
how,  at  such  times,  can  you  be  fervent  ?  *'  The 
Spirit  helpeth  our  infirmities,"  is  the  only  reply  I 
can  oiTer.  And  this  is  sufficient.  In  such  a  frame 
of  mind  there  is  the  greater  need  of  earnestness. 
Tarry  not  until  your  thoughts  take  a  more  elevated 
and  spiritual  tone.  I  have  always  found  that  the 
best  way  of  proceeding  in  such  a  case,  was  to  apply 
immediately  to  a  throne  of  grace.  There  wrestle  ; 
renew  the  supplication,  and  still  renew  it ;  until,  as 
is  often  the  case,  the  fire  of  heaven  descends,  and 
the  sacrifice  is  enkindled.  The  Lord  give  you  the 
epirit  and  the  success  of  the  patriarch  Jacob. 


PRAYER.  53 

LETTER  VI. 
SINCERITY    IN    PRAYER. 

Sincerity,  my  dear  young  friend,  is  an  essential 
ingredient  in  prayer.  "Without  it,  no  prayer  can  be 
acceptable.  Indeed,  if  we  are  insincere,  we  cannot 
be  said  to  pray.  A  mere  form  of  words  is  not 
prayer. 

Prayer  is  the  desire  of  the  heart  for  something 
^hich  we  judge  to  be  necessary  or  beneficial.  It 
implies  a  knowledge  of  our  wants,  and  an  urgent 
wish  to  have  them  supplied.  If,  therefore,  the  heart 
be  roving  after  one  object,  while  the  lips  are  em-^ 
ployed  in  asking  for  another,  we  are  insincere  and 
unacceptable  worshippers.  Such  conduct  is  an  in- 
sult to  our  Creator — a  game  of  deception  on  our- 
selves. Such  were  the  petitions  at  which  God,  in 
old  times,  declared  himself  indignant ;  when  his 
professing  people  drew  "  nigh  imto  him  with  their 
mouth,  and  honored  him  with  their  lips,  while  their 
heart  was  far  from  him."  Such  was  the  religion  of 
the  scribes  and  Pharisees ;  fair  and  beautiful  without, 
but  within  all  rottenness  and  corruption. 

B^eflect  a  moment  ere  you  bend  the  knee  at  the 
throne  of  grace.  I  am  not  now  about  to  approach  an 
earthly  monarch,  who,  though  surrounded  with  the 


54  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

pomp  and  circumstance  of  royalty,  is  but  a  worm  of 
the  dust  like  myself ;  but  I  am  to  have  audience  with 
the  King  of  kings — the  Lord  of  the  whole  earth.  I 
am  about  to  come  into  the  presence,  and  to  utter  the 
name  of  Him  at  whose  fiat  all  creation  sprang  into 
existence.  Were  I  in  the  presence  of  a  finite  being, 
I  might,  perhaps,  conceal  my  feelings  under  a  form 
of  words.  I  miight  utter  one  thing  and  mean 
another.  But  can  I  thus  practise  deception  with 
God  ?  Are  not  all  things  *'  naked,  and  opened  unto 
the  eyes  of  Him  with  whom  we  have  to  do  ?"  Does 
not  he  search  the  hearts  of  the  children  of  men  ? 
Will  he  be  satisfied  with  any  thing  but  "  truth  in 
the  inward  parts  ?"  "  If  I  regard  iniquity  in  my 
heart,"  says  the  sweet  singer  of  Israel,  "  the  Lord 
will  not  hear  me."  And  again,  in  his  bold  and 
beautiful  interrogatories,  *'  He  that  formed  the  eye, 
shall  he  not  see  ?  He  that  created  the  ear,  shall  he 
not  hear  ?" 

Let  such  be  your  meditation  when  you  are  about 
to  kneel  at  the  throne  of  grace.  Not  that  I  would 
array  the  character  of  God  in  terrors  to  your  mind, 
or  send  you  to  tremble  hke  a  slave  at  his  feet.  No, 
he  is  a  God  of  love,  of  compassion,  of  long  forbear- 
Jince ;  more  beneficent  and  tender  than  the  kindest 
earthly  parent.  •  You  may  go  to  him,  and  you  must 
so  go,  in  the  confiding  simpHcity  of  a  child  and  a 
favorite.     When  you  take  to  him  the  name  of  Christ 


PRAYER.  "  55 

your  Mediator,  you  take,  so  to  speak,  a  passport  into 
his  very  bosom.  You  may  unburden  your  whole 
heart ;  tell  him  things  which  you  could  confide  to 
no  mortal  ear ;  make  confession  of  sins  which  you 
dare  only  whisper  m  your  closet ;  and  in  the  ingenu- 
ous frankness  of  faith  and  penitence,  humbly  cast 
yourself  on  his  all-supporting  arm.  He  is  your  cov- 
enant God ;  and,  when  alone  with  him,  you  may 
indulge  even  a  holy  familiarity. 

p  Reflect  on  your  own  character,  as  well  as  on  that  \ 
of  the  Being  whom  you  address  :  the  thought  of  both  \ 
will  humble  you  in  the  dust,  and  prepare  you,  in  / 
your  approach  to  the  mercy-seat,  to  appreciate  the' 
all-glorious,    divme,    and    compassionate    Mediator. 
iBe  careful  to  inquire  into  your  wants.     Say  within 
'yourself,  W.hy^have  I  now  retired  ?     What  errand, 
Jiave  I  at  the  throne ;  what  sins  to  confess,  what\ 
,mercies  to  acknowledge,  what  wants  to  be  supplied  ? 
For  whom,  besides  myself,  should  I  pray  ?     What 
)  temptations  appear  to  be  most  formidable  ?     Let  me 
not  cover  one  sin,  nor  keep  back  one  confession.     Let  / 
me  not .  ask  for  holiness,  if  I  would  retain  a  single  1 
lust ;  if  I  am  not  resolved  to  crucify  all.     Let  me-  \ 
not  ask  for  a  revival  of  religion,  if  I  do  not  secretly 
and  sincerely  wish  for  it.     *'  Search  me,  0  God,  and 
know  my  heart,  and  see  if  there  be  any  wicked  way 
I  in  me,  and  lead  me  in  the  way  everlasting,"  should  / 
ever  be  your  wish  and  your  petition.     Let  your  sin* 


56  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

cerity  be  such  that  you  can  ever  thus  appeal  to  the 
heart-searching  God.  Nothing  is  so  well  calculated 
to  foster  the  spirit  of  devotion,  as  to  be  enabled  to 
say  with  Peter,  "Jhou  laiowest^;''  to  make  the  fa- 
miliar appeal,  although  I  cannot,  by  reason  of  infirm- 
ity, express  the  number  and  aggravation  of  my  sins, 
yet,  oh  Lord,  "  thou  knowest "  I  lament  them,  and 
sincerely  desire  their  removal ;  although  my  words 
fail  in  expressing  my  gratitude,  yet  "  thou  knowest'* 
my  heart  is  full ;  although  I  cannot  give  expression 
to  my  feelings  in  behalf  of  Zion,  yet  "  thou  knowest " 
I  love  her  prosperity,  and  earnestly  desire  her  increase 
and  glory.  *'  Thou  knowest"  is  a  sweet  expression 
in  the  ears  of  a  prayer-hearing  God.  It  gives  the 
soul  a  confidence  and  an  earnestness,  when  pleading 
for  itself  or  for  others. 

You  will  find,  my  young  firiend,  strong  temptations 
to  be  superficial  and  hurried  in  your  prayers.  Your 
enemies  will  suggest  some  engagements  which  will 
preclude  or  cut  short  your  supplications.  They  will 
insinuate,  that  all  this  meditation  is  unnecessary. 
If  in  these  attacks  they  prevail,  you  will  immediately 
perceive  an  insincerity  in  your  prayers.  You  will 
find  yourself,  at  times,  wishing  the  prayer  was  over ; 
and  uttering  it,  rather  as  a  sedative  to  conscience, 
than  as  the  supreme  delight  of  your  soul.  You  will 
then,  indeed,  come  like  a  slave  to  the  altar ;  and, 
having  performed  to  conscience,  as  to  an  unrelenting 


PRAYER.  S7 

tyrant,  the  accustomed  task,  you  will  be  glad  of  a 
speedy  relief.  You  may  even  find  yourself,  at  times, 
uttering  words  and  forms,  of  the  meaning  of  which, 
while  your  heart  is  wandering  on  forbidden  objects, 
you  are  totally  unconscious.  This  is  sinful  in  the 
extreme. 

May  you  never  arrive  at  this  melancholy  pitch 
of  insult,  and  of  mockery. 

Yield  not,  dear  yoimg  friend,  to  the  power  of  the 
tempter.  Give  him  no  advantage  over  you  ;  dispute 
every  inch  of  ground ;  instead  of  retreating,  advance ; 
instead  of  relaxing,  brace  anew  your  nerves  for  the 
conflict.  Take  the  whole  armor  of  God.  Look  up- 
ward for  grace  and  strength  to  wield  it.  March  for- 
ward to  the  "  wicket-gate,"  and  to  the  glory  that 
lies  beyond.  Keep  your  eye  steadily  on  the  Captain 
of  your  salvation.  Where  his  banners  wave,  be  you 
found,  though  it  be  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight ;  and 
soon,  yes,  soon,  your  trials  will  be  over ;  your  victory 
will  be  won ;  and  you  will  have  naught  to  do  but 
to  lay. aside  your  weapons,  and  sing  the  note  of  eter- 
nal triumph. 


58  YOUNG    CIIRISTIAIT. 

LETTER   VII. 
FAITH  ESSENTIAL   TO  PRAYER. 

In  my  last,  I  recommended  earnestness  and  sm- 
cerity,  as  necessary  to  acceptable  prayer.  The  tliird 
particular  which  I  mentioned  was,  faith  in  the 
promises. 

Does  not  your  Bible,  my  young  friend,  insist  upon 
this  ?  Does  it  not  declare,  that  he  who  cometh  to 
God,  "  must  believe  that  he  is,  and  that  he  is  the 
rewarder  of  them  that  diligently  seek  him  ?"  Does 
it  not  compare  to  the  fluctuation  of  the  restless  wave, 
that  prayer  which  is  offered  vdthout  faith  ?  And 
does  it  not  assert,  that  without  faith,  it  is  impossible 
to  please  him  ?  But  what  is  meant  by  faith  in  the 
promises  ?  methinks  I  hear  you  say.  How  shall  I 
know  when  I  incorporate  this  faith  in  my  petition  ? 
It  is  not  necessary,  my  young  friend,  that  you  know 
it ;  but  it  is  necessary,  and  even  indispensable,  that 
you  have  it. 

There  is  afloat,  a  spurious  and  vain-confident  feel- 
ing, that  mistakes  presumption  for  faith.  This  some- 
times appears  in  communities  which  are  visited  by 
the  special  influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  Ignorant 
and  proud  enthusiasts  take  advantage  of  excited 
feelings,  and  sow  the  tares  of  error,  while  the  servant 


PRAYER.  59 

of  Jesus  is  scattering  the  seeds  of  truth.  Some  have 
declared,  that  in  praying  for  a  blessing,  we  had  only 
to  believe  that  it  would  be  granted,  and  success  was 
certain.  In  praying  for  an  individual,  all  we  had  to 
do  was  to  be  certain  in  our  own  minds  that  the  indi- 
vidual would  be  converted,  and  it  would  be  so 
When  I  look  at  the  spirit  whidi  such  people  evince, 
and  find  little  of  the  meekness  and  humility  of  the 
Gospel,  I  view  it  as  presumptive  evidence  against 
their  characters,  and  their  opinions.  When  David 
prayed  for  the  life  of  his  child,  though  with  deep 
humility  and  earnestness,  it  was  not  spared.  When 
Paul  thrice  besought  the  Lord  for  the  removal  of  a 
grievous  affliction,  the  prayer  was  heard,  and  an- 
swered on  the  soul ;  but  not  as  he  had  expected,  on 
the  body.  The  prayer  of  faith  is  never  lost.  It  is 
invariably  answered.  But  to  assert  that  it  will  be 
answered  in  the  particular  way,  or  for  the  particular 
thing  which  we  have  expected,  is  both  antiscriptural 
and  presumptuous.  Here  lies  the  error  of  these  en- 
thusiasts. One  step  farther  would  make  them  claim 
inspiration. 

When  we  come  to  the^Jthrone  of  grace,  we  come, 
not  to  dictate,  but  to  supplicate.  God,  in  his  word, 
has  given  us  a  warrant  to  pray  for  all  spiritual,  and 
many  temporal  favors.  In  praying  for  the  former, 
we  may,  and  must  be  importunate  and  persevering 
until  death.     In  respect  to  the  latter,  we  must  be 


60  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

submissive  ;  and  ever  add,  If  it  will  be  for  thy  glory, 
and  the  interests  of  my  soul.  "When  you  pray,  there- 
fore, for  spiritual  blessings,  you  know  that  your  prayer 
is  according  to  the  will  of  God.  ^If  it  be  sincere,  and 
presented  with  an  exclusive  reference  to  the  media- 
tion of  Christ,  it  will,  it  must  be  answered.  I  do 
not  say,  that  the  very  things  you  ask,  and  in  the 
precise  way  and  time  in  which  you  look  for  them, 
will  be  received.  Not  at  all.  But  still  I  say,  your 
prayer  will  be  answered.  We  are  short-sighted  crea- 
tures. We  often  suppose  that  we  know  what  is  best 
for  us,  and  would  fain  have  in  our  own  hands  the 
management  of  our  spiritual  and  temporal  affairs. 
But  recollect  the  ''ring."  It  is  not  for  us  to  keep 
it.  It  is  in  the  hands  of  God.  There  only  is  it  safe. 
There,  no  foe  can  reach  it,  and  no  fears  need  be  en- 
tertained of  its  security. 

Recollect,  then,  that  it  is  yours  to  believe.  It  is  God's 
to  plan  and  to  execute.  Confidence  m  God's  veracity, 
and  wisdom,  and  goodness,  is  the  main  ingredient  in 
this  prayer  of  faith.  Say,  in  the  fulness  of  your  con- 
fidence, I  plead  for  this  thing,  0  God.  Although  it 
may  not  be  given  by  thee  in  a  manner,  and  at  a  time 
which  I  expect,  still  I  plead  thy  promise  ;  and  I  know 
thou  art  faithful  to  hear  and  answer  prayer. 

Permit  me  to  recur  again  to  my  own  experience, 
and  I  am  not  alone  in  this  experience.  Knowing  that 
I  was  in  a  backslidden  state,  and  feeling  that  for 


PRAYER.  61 

months  there  had  been  a  melancholy  distance  be- 
tween God  and  my  soul,  1  gave  myself  to  prayer.  I 
entreated  God  to  reclaim  me,  to  give  me  repentance, 
and  a  more  entire  consecration  of  soul  and  body  to 
his  service.  I  knew  that  these  were  blessings  which 
were  according  to  the  will  of  God,  and  I  knew  that 
he  had  promised  in  his  word  to  answer  prayer  foi 
such  blessings.  With  the  hope  that  I  entertained  of 
being  in  covenant  with  him,  how  could  I  doubt  that 
he  would  answer  the  prayer  for  sanctification  ?  But 
I  verily  supposed,  that  it  would  be  by  a  direct  influ- 
ence of  the  Spirit  on  the  heart.  I  expected  that,  in 
some  favored  moment,  perhaps  while  I  was ,  then 
praying,  God  would  send  down  a  holy  influence, 
irradiate  the  darkened  mind,  melt  the  hard  heart, 
purify  the  sordid  affections,  and  arrest  and  reclaim 
the  wanderer.  This  he  might  have  done.  This  he 
sometimes  does  in  the  case  of  others  ;  but  it  was  not 
thus  he  answered  my  prayer. 

When  that  season  of  earnest  supplication  had 
passed  away,  and  was  almost  forgotten,  he  stretched 
me  upon  a  bed  of  affliction,  and  filled  my  mind  with 
darkness,  and  my  body  with  torturing  pains.  Every 
expedient  was  tried  to  alleviate,  but  the  waves  and 
the  billows  rolled  deeper  and  darker.  Why  is  it,  I 
was  then  led  to  inquire,  that  God's  hand  is  pressed 
60  heavily  upon  me  ?  Look  back,  my  soul,  upon  thy 
pride,  thy  worldly-mindedness,  thy  ambition,  thy  sen- 


02  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

suality,  thy  neglect  of  duty.  Do  not  these  compose 
the  cloud  that  envelopes  thee  ;  are  they  not  the 
pains  that  rack  thee  ?  Hast  thou  not  forsaken  "  the 
Fountain  of  living  waters  ?'•'  Then,  like  the  prodi- 
gal's, my  eyes  were  filled  with  penitential  tears  ;  and 
I  said,  God  is  answering  my  prayer  for  humility,  for 
spirituality,  for  meekness,  for  more  entire  devoted- 
ness. 

Happy  is  that  soul  who  can  say,  Oh  Lord,  sanctify 
me,  if  it  be  by  fire.  Sanctify  me,  even  if  it  be  through 
the  deep  waters  of  affliction. 

I  cite  this  example  to  show,  that  our  prayers  must 
be  offered,  and  offered  in  confidence.  But  the  way 
and  the  time  of  their  being  answered,  it  is  not  for 
us  to  dictate.  We  may  take  any  promise  in  the 
word  of  God,  and  with  the  confidence  of  children  go 
to  him,  and  say.  Our  Father,  hast  thou  not  said  thus, 
and  dost  thou  not  say  this  to  me  ?  Let  me  then 
remind  thee,  0  thou  covenant-keeping  God,  of  these 
ample  promises,  and  let  me  beseech  thee  to  fulfil 
them  all  in  thy  servant ;  and  in  thine  own  way  let 
them  be  verified  in  my  complete  ealvation. 


PRAYER.  63 

LETTER   VIII 

FOR    WHAT    SHOULD    WE    PRAY? 

It  was  not  my  intention  to  extend  my  remarks  to 
BO  great  a  length  on  the  nature  of  prayer,  but  I  have 
been  insensibly  led  along  by  my  anxiety  to  impress 
upon  your  mind  the  importance  of  the  subject.  By 
personal  experience  I  have,  I  trust,  learned  its  value. 
I  have  been  able  to  trace  every  spiritual  declension 
to  the  closet.  When  the  enemies  of  my  soul  have 
triumphed,  I  could  distinctly  see  that  my  armor  had 
not  been  furbished  by  prayer.  When  the  sweet  se- 
renity ojf  conscious  forgiveness,  a  calm  sense  of  divine 
favor  has  departed,  and  the  restless  tumult  of  passion 
has  succeeded,  the  Holy  Spirit,  I  knew  full  well,  had 
not,  with  fervency,  been  wooed  to  my  bosom.    - 

As  well  might  we  expect  vegetation  to  spring 
from  the  earth  without  the  sunshine  or  the  dew,  as 
the  Christian  to  unfold  his  graces,  and  advance  in 
his  course,  without  patient,  persevering,  and  ardent 
prayer.  The  throne  of  grace  must  be  your  home, 
your  dearest,  happiest  home.  If  unavoidably  de- 
tained from  your  accustomed  visits  to  the  sweet 
retreat,  0  may  you  feel,  like  the  dove  that  fluttered 
anxiously  around  the  ark,  that  on  earth  there  is 
naught  that  is  stable,  on  which  to  rest  your  weary 


64  rOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

foot.  And  wlien  you  again  find  tlie  consecrated  spot, 
may  your  tears  of  joy  mingle  with  those  of  penitence, 
as  you  throw  yourself  anew  into  the  arms  of  your 
Father  and  your  Friend. 

In  my  last,  I  spoke  of  praying  with  faith  in  the 
promises,  so  that  I  have  now  glanced  at  the  three 
important  particulars  necessar}^  in  acceptable  prayer. 

The  second  inquiry,  for  what  you  should  pray, 
needs,  it  appears  to  me,  hut  httle  consideration,  if 
you  have  been  taught  of  the  Spirit.  The  apostle 
says,  **  we  know  not  what  we  should  pray  for  as  we 
ought,"  but ''  the  Spirit. helpeth  our  infirmities.''  It 
would  not,  therefore,  become  me  to  enumerate  the 
particulars  which  should  form  the  subject  matter  of 
your  prayers.  If  the  Holy  Spirit  has  wrought  in 
your  soul  a  deep  conviction  of  your  depravity,  you 
will  wrestle  with  God  for  its  removal.  "  Create  in 
me  a  clean  heart,  0  God,  and  renew  a  right  spirit 
within  me."  If  you  are  suddenly  betrayed  into  sin, 
and  your  conscience  feel  the  heavy  load,  you  will 
exclaim,  "  0  Lord,  pardon  mine  iniquity,  for  it  is 
great."  If  your  heart  be  sluggish  in  duty,  you  will, 
of  course,  and  from  necessity,  pray,  **  Q^uicken  me,  0 
Lord,  and  I  will  run  in  the  ways  of  thy  command- 
ments." If  you  love  the  kingdom  of  Christ,  you  will 
pray  earnestly,  and  with  faith,  for  its  coming.  If  you 
feel  for  the  perishmg  condition  of  sinners,  you  will 
commend  them,  with  tears,  to  the  mercy  of  your  God. 


PRAYER.  65 

But  your  prayers  will  not  be  tlius  general.  If  you 
ever,  as  I  trust  you  will,  become  a  noble  and  devoted 
Christian  ;  if  you  mean  to  put  your  feet  in  the  warm 
tracks  of  a  Newell  or  a  Huntington,  your  prayers 
will  often  be  protracted  and  particular.  You  willv 
pray  for  blessings  on  your  own  soul,  on  your  parents,s 
on  your  sisters,  on  your  neigliborhood,  on  the  world^ 
Your  ardent  mind,  steeped  in  benevolence,  will  hold 
a  familiar  and  holy  intercourse  with  your  Father  in 
heaven.  Nolaii.anxieiyjvyilLyou  j^ 
communicate  it;  not  a  xeasonable  wish  will  you  in- 
dulge, but  you  will  express  it ;  not  a  known  duty 
wiU^you  discover,  but  you  will  pray  for  grace  to  per- 
form it.  To  enter  into  further  particulars  would  be 
unnecessary.  The  Christian  has  every,  day  new  sins 
Jo  confess,  new  duties  to  perform,  new  temptations 
to  encoimter ;  requiring,  of  course,  new  modifica- 
tions of  prayer  and  praise. 

But  one  subject  let  me  entreat  you  never  to  forget. 
It  is  the  rising  glory  of  our  Immanuel's  kingdom. 
Say,  with  David,  or  rather  with  those  weeping  cap- 
tives who  were  mingling  their  tears  with  the  waters 
of  Babylon,  "  If  I  forget  thee,  0  Jerusalem,  let  my 
right  hand  forget  her  cunning  :  if  I  do  not  remember 
thee,  let  my  tongue  cleave  to  the  roof  of  my  mouth  ; 
if  I  prefer  not  Jerusalem  above  my  chief  joy."  You 
live  in  a  day  of  wonders.  Your  being,  perhaps,  has 
opened  in  the  millennial  mom.     It  is  possible  you 


66  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

may  live  to  see  its  full-orbed  splendors.  0,  then,  in 
every  prayer  remember  Zion  ;  remember  the  heathen 
who  sit  in  the  valley  and  shadow  of  spiritual  death. 
Take  an  enlarged  view  of  this  subject ;  read  the 
promises  which  secure  to  our  Hedeemer  the  whole 
habitable  globe  ;  peruse  them  until  your  soul  is  fired 
with  the  prospect.  Then  go  to  the  mercy-seat  and 
plead  for  their  fulfilment.  Go,  bear  on  your  heart  a 
sinking  world.  Let  your  whole  soul  be  drawn  forth 
on  this  glorious  subject.  If  it  be  not  your  lot  to 
carry  the  glad  tidings  to  the  benighted,  sustain,  by 
your  prayers,  the  hands  and  the  hearts  of  those  whose 
are  the  privilege  and  the  glory.  Say  not,  I  am  a 
poor  insignificant  creature  ;  what  will  my  prayers 
avail  ?  Ah,  if  every  Christian  were  thus  to  reason, 
the  church  would  be  without  prayer,  and  without  a 
blessing.  Have  you  an  interest  at  the  throne  of 
grace  in  your  own  behalf  ?  Do  you  hope  so  ;  and, 
believing  so,  do  you  act  accordingly  ?  then  have  you 
also  an  interest  there  in  behalf  of  a  perishing  world. 
That  interest  you  must  use.  By  all  the  prospective 
glories  of  the  Messiah,  I  beseech  you  to  use  it.  By 
all  the  deep  and  inconceivable  miseries  of  the  heathen, 
by  the  probability  of  their  condemnation,  and  by  the 
possibility  of  their  deliverance,  I  conjure  you  to  use 
it.  Whatever  you  forget,  forget  not  the  millions  who 
are  perishing  for  lack  of  vision.  Forget  not  the 
self-denied  missionary  who  has  gone  to  reheve  them  ; 


PRAYER.  67 

forget  not  the  societies  which,  are  pledged  to  this  holy 
enterprise.  The  day  is  coming  when  this  subject 
will  hold  a  prominence  in  our  supplications ;  when 
the  prayer,  "  Thy  kingdom  come,"  will  come  gushing 
from  the  heart,  and  be  reiterated  with  an  earnest- 
ness which  shall  indicate  its  near  approach,  and  be 
prophetic  of  its  universality. 

You  see  from  my  protracted  remarks  on  this  sub- 
ject, that  I  consider  prayer  the  life  and  soul  of  the 
jChristian.  To  the  young  Christian  I  cahhot  too 
urgently  press  its  importance.  Prayer  is  the  key  of 
heaven.  0,  what  has  it  not  done?  By  it  Elijah 
shut  up  the  skies,  and  no  dew  nor  rain  descended  on 
the  guilty  land.  By  it  Jacob  placed  a  ladder  between 
heaven  and  earth,  and  formed  a  communication  for 
angels.  By  it  Daniel  shut  up  the  mouths  of  ferocious 
lions,  Sampson  shook  the  pillars  of  Philistia's  tem- 
ple, and  Peter  was  delivered  from  prison.  Prayer 
is  a  mighty  weapon  in  the  hands  of  the  weakest. 
Use  it,  then ;  never,  0  never  yield  up  this  weajion. 

In  my  next  I  shall  offer  a  few  remarks  on  the 
third  question,  when  should  we  pray  ? 


08  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

LETTER  IX. 

WHEN    SHOULD    WE    PRAY? 

I  SHALL  make  but  a  few  additional  observations, 
my  young  friend,  on  the  subject  of  prayer,  although, 
I  confess,  my  pen  would  pursue  the  dehghtful  themo 
through  many  pages  more. 

The  apostle  commands  us  to  "  pray  witliout  ceas- 
ing ^  Are  we  by  this  to  understand  that  every  mo- 
ment of  our  time  is  to  be  spent  in  prayer?  This, 
undoubtedly,  is  not  his  meaning.  The  import  of  the 
exhortation  is,  omit  not  tliis  important  duty ;  be 
regular  and  punctual  in  your  daily  visits  to  the 
altar ;  and  see  to  it  that  you  continually  preserve  a 
prayerful  frame  of  spirit.  No  person  can  plead  for 
a  more  strict  interpretation  of  the  passage  than  this 
It  implies  all  that  the  apostle  meant  to  inculcate ; 
and,  be  assured,  that  if  you  persevere  in  such  a  course, 
you  will  not  subject  yourself  to  the  charge  of  "  cast- 
ing off  fear,  and  restraining  prayer  before  God." 

The  seasons  of  prayer  are  stated  and  occasional, 
ordinary  and  extraordinary.  No  Christian  can  main- 
tain a  close  walk  with  God,  none  can  keep  alive 
the  hallowed  fire  of  the  soul,  without  daily  kindling 
it  afresh  at  the  altar.  None  can  grow  in  knowledge 
and  hohness  \\dthout  stated  and  regular  seasons  of 


PRAYER.  G9 

prayer  "  Give  us  this  day  our  daily  bread,"  implies 
as  much  the  aliment  of  the  soul  as  the  nourishment 
of  the  body.  The  one  can  no  more  live  in  health 
and  vigor  without  prayer,  than  the  other  without 
food. 

It  is  usual  to  recommend  the  morning  and  the 
evening,  as  the  most  suitable  seasons  for  prayer.  In 
this,  I  fully  concur.  There  appears  to  be  something 
peculiarly  appropriate  in  this  arrangement  of  duty. 

When  the  darkness  has  passed,  and  the  light  has 
again  dawned  upon  the  earth ;  when  we  rise  from 
our  couch,  and  find  our  faculties  invigorated  by  the 
restoring  slumbers  of  the  night ;  when  we  view  the 
beauties  of  the  morning  landscape,  listen  to  the  mel- 
ody of  birds,  and  feel  the  balmy  breath  of  nature 
playing  coolly  and  sweetly  around  us  ;  when  praise 
and  thanksgiving  to  God  seem  inscribed  upon  every 
feature  of  a  revived  world  :  how  can  we  be  silent ; 
how  withhold  the  burst  of  rapturous  adoration  ? 
These  scenes,  I  am  aware,  awaken  no  such  feelings 
in  the  hearts  of  multitudes.  They  gaze  on  them,  it 
is  true  ;  but  they  recognize  not  the  hand  that  formed 
them.  They  feel  no  thrill  of  gratitude,  nor  offer  one 
note  of  praise.  Not  so  with  the  Christian.  To  him 
they  convey  a  lesson,  through  the  eye,  to  the  soul ; 
and  lead  him  "from  nature,  up  to  nature's  God  " 

How  proper,  then,  my  young  friend,  is  the  morn- 
ing, for  secret  converse  with  your  God.     It  is  youi 


70  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

privilege  to  reside  in  the  country.  You  live  amid 
nature's  magnificence.  The  unobstructed  arch  of 
heaven  is  your  canopy.  For  your  eye  the  forest 
waves,  the  meadoM^s  smile,  the  garden  unfolds  its 
beauties,  and  spring  and  summer  vie  in  their  efTorts 
to  regale  your  senses.  You  are  not  crowded  into  a 
noisy  and  profligate  city,  and  shut  out  from  almost 
every  thing  that  is  pleasant  to  the  eye,  and  calming 
to  the  soul.  No  ;  you  dwell,  as  it  were,  with  God, 
and  among  his  glorious  works.  Let  your  first  hours, 
therefore,  be  his.  Let  not  sloth  nail  you  to  your 
couch,  when  all  nature  invites  you  to  awake  and 
join  the  general  concert  of  praise.  "  Awake,  psalteiy 
and  harp,"  must  be  your  language  ;  "I  myself  will 
awake  early."  Mary  found  her  way  to  the  sepulchre 
ere  the  day  dawned  ;  nor  wept  at  that  sepulchre  in 
vain. 

Early  devotions  are  all-important.  They  prepare 
the  mind  to  attend,  without  distraction,  to  the  secu- 
lar duties  of  the  morning.  As  the  day  breaks,  sum- 
mon your  recollections,  and  rise  wdth  the  rising  light. 
Grive  your  first  hours  to  God.  Pour  out  your  soul 
before  him  in  gratitude  for  nocturnal  blessings,  and 
throw  yourself  on  his  protection  for  the  day.  Be 
assured,  this  early  application  to  his  throne  will  distil 
apon  the  sour  a  peace  and  a  serenity  that  shall  not 
depart,  but  shall  gild  every  look  and  action,  and 
make  the  day  glide  onward  smoothly  and  happily 


PRAYER.  71 

You  will  thus  allow  yourself  time,  and  not  be  hurried 
in  your  prayers.     You  will  also  be  free  from  inter- 
ruptions, and  the  fear  of  them.     This  is  all-important 
to  a  right  discharge  of  sacred  duties.     It  is  indispen- 
sable that  the  mind  should  be  free  from  solicitude 
and  cares  :  and  there  is  no  time  in  the  day  that  will 
so  secure  to  you  that  freedom,  as  the  early  part  of  it 
Arise  so  early  as  to  allow  yourself  half  an  hour  for 
the  performance  of  your  morning  devotions  :  more,  if 
your  soul  desire  it.     It  is  good  to  stipulate  with  your- 
self for  half  an  hour.     The  devotions  of  many  are 
insipid,  and  burdensome,  and  unacceptable,  because 
they  have  no  definite  time  allotted  for  their  perform- 
ance.    They  snatch  a  few  moments  in  the  morning, 
and  hurry  through  a  form  of  prayer ;  which,  though 
for  the  time  it  may  pacify  the  conscience,  yet,  in  the 
<J  end,  only  increases  their  guilt.     They  do  not  make 
;  a  business  of  prayer.     This  is  the  great  reason  why 
\  the  exercise  is  a  burden.     Now,  avoid  this,  my  young 
\  friend,  by  having  an^arly^hour,  and  alwap^pccupy.- 
ing  the  full  time,  in  a  constant  and'^onscientious 
attention  to  your  devotional  duties.     You  will  find 
I  by  experience,  that  there  is  a  great  advantage  in  be- 
•ing  thus  systematic.     It  will  tend  greatly  to  elevate 
lyour  standard  of  piety,  and  make  you,  not  a  lean  and  i 
desultory,  but  a  consistent  and  growing  Christian.    / 
In  your  evening  devotions,  I  should  advise  you  to 
occupy,  as  a  general  rule,  as  much  time  as  in  the 


Jf2  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

morning.  I  know  tliat  circumstances  must  be  re- 
garded ;  but  I  would  endeavor  to  secure  at  least  half 
an  hour  in  the  evening.  Let  this  hour  jqq\  be  the 
last  before  retiring ;  because,  generally,  the  body  is 
too  much  wearied,  and  the  mind,  by  sympathy,  too 
drowsy  to  make  devotion  any  thmg  but  a  task  and 
a  burden.  Let  it  be  early^in  the  evening.  If  the 
hour  of  sunset  is  most  convenient,  let  it  be  then. 
This  was  the  time  at  which  the  patriarch  Isaac  was 
engaged  in  meditation  and  prayer,  and  it  certainly  is 
a  very  appropriate  and  delightful  hour. 

How  proper  and  pleasant  is  it  to  sit  down  at  even- 
ing, and  review  the  mercies  of  the  day,  call  in  the 
thoughts  from  distracting  occupations,  and  then  pour 
the  whole  soul  into  the  bosom,  .of  God.  How  delight- 
ful to  seek  our  pillow,  when,  having  bathed  anew  iia 
the  fountain  of  Immanuel's  blood,  we  feel  a  con- 
sciousness of  pardon,  and  a  hope  full  of  immortality. 
Our  slumbers  then  are  sweet  and  refreshhig.  IJo 
visions  of  guilt,  no;  fearftd  anticipations  distort  the 
unconscious  muscles,  or  heave  the  troubled  bosom. 
These  are  the  tortures  of  guilty  impenitence.  They 
are  the  scourges  of  a  conscience  unpacified  by  the 
blood  of  atonement — the  forebodings  of  that  dreadful 
doom  that  awaits  all  who  continue  unreconciled  to 
God,  by  the  death  of  his  Son. 

One  more  letter  shall  close  my  remarks  on  this 
subject. 


V^      OF  TBE 

LETTER  XT   "'^ 


PRAYER—CONCLUDED. 

A  Christian  who  aims  at  an  elevated  standard 
of  piety,  will  not  always  be  satisfied  with  the  morn- 
ing and  evening  sacrifice. 

The  most  eminent  Christians  have  followed  the 
example  of  David,  who,  in  asserting  his  perseverance 
in  prayer,  exclaims,  "  Evening,  and  morning,  and  at 
noon  will  I  pray."  And  is  this  too  much?  I  am 
persuaded,  my  young  friend,  that  to  a  soul  who  pants 
after  increasing  conformity  to  God,  it  is  not  too  much. 
It  may  not  always  be  convenient  to  pray  three  times 
a  day ;  but  where  it  is,  I  promise  the  individual,  he 
will  be  no  loser  by  the  exercise.  The  aliment  of  the 
body  may  be  taken  too  often,  and  in  too  great  quan- 
tities, for  the  health  of  the  constitution  :  but  not  so 
that  of  the  soul.  There  is  no  danger  of  satiety  or 
repletion  here.  You  may  drink,  and  drink  again,  at 
the  waters  of  life ;  you  may  banquet,  and  return 
again  and  banquet.  The  soul  will  thrive  proper- 
tionably.  The  food,  instead  of  being  loathed,  will 
have  the  keener  rehsh,  and  administer  increasing 
nourishment,  until  you  grow  up  to  the  stature  of  the 
perfect  in  Christ  Jesus. 

A  Christian  of  exalted  piety  will  carry  a  prayer- 
ful frame  of  spirit  throughout  the  day.     He  wdll  not 


74  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

make  his  stated  devotions  the  begiimang  and  the  end* 
ing  of  his  religion.  Such  is  the  conduct  of  the  hypo 
crite,  and  the  formahst.  But  the  Christian  imbibes  a 
portion  of  heaven,  Avhich  he  continually  carries  in  his 
countenance,  and  exhibits  in  his  deportment.  Though 
walking  amid  the  avocations  of  secular  life,  he  still 
walks  with  God.  As  a  matter  of  duty,  he  descends 
from  his  elevation  to  perform  his  part  in  the  concerns 
of  this  sublunary  world ;  but  his  soul  is  not  here.  His 
higher  affections  are  calmly  ascending  to  God.  The 
silent  ejaculation  supplies  his  necessary  absence  from 
the  throne  of  grace  ;  and  is,  if  you  will  allow  me  the 
comparison,  a  sort  of  informal  repast  to  the  soul. 

The  most  eminent  saints  have  been  noted  for  fre- 
quent ejaculatory  petitions.  A  temptation  suddenly 
shoots  across  the  mind — send  upward  the  silent 
prayer  for  deliverance.  You  are  about  entering  into 
dangerous  circumstances — look  upward  for  protection 
Your  feet  have  just  touched  the  threshold  of  God's 
temple — 0  then  breathe  upward  for  his  Spirit  and 
his  presence.  If  your  soul  be  attuned  to  devotion, 
you  will  live  and  breathe  as  in  the  presence  of  God, 
and  travel  through  this  v/ilderness  leaning  on  the 
arm  of  your  beloved. 

In  addition  to  this,  I  would  ^xrge  the  duty  of  extra- 
ordinary and  special  seasons  cf  prayer.  I  find  such 
seasons  warranted  by  the  Scripuares,  and  their  impor- 
ts' nee  «.ttested  by  the  experienc .»  of  the  most  eminent 


PRAYER.  75 

uaints,  in  all  ages  of  the  church.  There  are  lapses  of 
the  soul,  which  can  only  be  counteracted  by  special  and 
extraordinary  prayer.  There  are  temptations,  which 
at  times  so  beset  and  harass  the  mind  as  to  call  for 
special  means.  There  are  afflictive  dispensations 
which  require  them.  There  are  perplexities  as  to  the 
path  of  duty,  which  they  only  can  remove.  Hence,  if 
you  will  note  the  biography  of  the  most  eminently 
pious,  you  will  fmd  that  special  seasons  of  fasting,  hu- 
miliation, and  prayer,  have  been  accompanied  with  an 
increase  of  grace,  a  deeper  acquaintance  with  the 
heart,  a  more  spiritual  intercourse  with  God,  more 
glorious  views  of  divine  Iruth,  and  a  surer  hope  of  a 
blessed  immortaHty. 

I  think  I  can  say,  witnout  hesitation,  that  the  most 
exalted  attainments  have  bttn  made  by  such  means 
Such  extraordinary  seasons  of  prayer  are  peculiarly 
acceptable  to  God.  It  was  suoh,  accompanied  by  a 
sanctifying  influence,  that  formed  whe  high  character 
bf  Brainerd,  and  of  Martyn. 

If  you  desire  their  piety,  neglect  iiot  the  means  by 
which  they  attained  to  it.  If  you  admire  their  charac- 
ter, then  imitate  their  devotion  and  self-denial.  There 
is  no  obstacle  that  may  not  be  surmount  3d,  to  hinder 
you  even  from  outstripping  them.  The  prize  is  be- 
fore you.  The  race  is  pointed  out.  See,  at  its  ter- 
mination, a  crown  of  glory  beaming  in  your  Saviour's 
hands.     Does  it  not  fire  your  soul  ?     Does  it  not  fill 


76  YOU^G    CHRISTIAN. 

your  eye  ?  Does  it  not  brace  anew  your  nerves  ? 
Fix  your  eye  on  the  mark  of  the  prize  of  your  high 
calling.  Consider  all  the  ground  you  have  passed  as 
nothing,  so  long  as  the  goal  is  still  at  a  distance — so 
long  as  you  come  short  of  perfection  in  Christ  Jesus. 
But  I  have  one  remark  before  I  dismiss  this  subject. 
It  is  this.  Let  nothing,  if  possible,  hinder  you,  in 
the  performance  of  your  regular  devotions,  from  oc- 
cupying your  allotted  season  of  prayer.  "When  the 
love  of  God  is  on  the  wane,  and  that  of  the  world  is 
waxing  stronger,  a  trifling  excuse  will  satisfy  the 
conscience  for  the  neglect  of  this  all-important  duty 
May  such  never  be  your  case.  Such  a  state  is  re- 
plete with  danger,  and  often  a  precursor  to  a  melan- 
choly and  disgraceful  fall.  The  soul  that  is  bent  on 
duty,  and  to  whom  prayer  is  a  delightful  privilege, 
will  seldom  be  hindered  from  its  performance.  No 
trifling  excuse  will  be  heeded  ;  and  if  necessity  for  a 
time  bar  up  the  sacred  enclosure,  the  heart  will  sicken 
at  the  void  which  is  created  by  a  temporary  absence 
from  the  hallowed  spot.  "When  that  necessity  can  be 
removed,  how  will  the  soul  leap  forward  to  its  dearest 
earthly  home.  It  will  seem  doubly  sweet  for  the 
temporary  liinderance.  The  soul  will  say,  as  it  lays 
itself  beneath  the  altar,  0  blessed  privilege  ;  how  long 
does  it  appear  since  I  last  enjoyed  thee.  How  delight- 
ful to  lay  my  head  on  this  dear  support,  and  feel  that 
I  am  again  alone  with  my  Redeemer  and  my  friend. 


PRAYER.  77 

Such  will  be  the  language  of  the  saint  when  de- 
barred for  a  time  from  the  throne  of  grace. 

Situated  as  you  now  are,  you  are  in  a  measure 
free  from  the  fear  of  such  interruptions.  But  you 
will  soon  be  ushered  into  a  new  sphere.  You  will 
Boon  find  yourself  surrounded  by  companions,  to  whom 
you  must  pay  the  ordinary  civilities  of  life.  Then 
will  you  need  this  advice ;  nay,  you  will  need  the 
supporting  hand  of  God,  to  keep  you  from  dishonoring 
your  profession,  and  forgetting  the  solemn  vows  you 
have  recorded.  Then,  if  you  persevere  in  the  course 
which  I  have  marked  out,  it  will  be  evident  that  I 
have  not  written  in  vain,  and  that  what  I  have  written 
has  been  attended  with  more  than  human  efficacy. 

Little  do  you  know,  as  yet,  of  your  own  heart ; 
little  do  you  realize  the  seducing  influence  of  the 
world,  and  the  artful  insinuations  of  Satan.  But  if 
you  will  cling  to  the  counsel  I  have  given,  and  com- 
mit your  soul  to  the  keeping  of  your  Redeemer,  those 
temptations  you  shall  meet  immovable  as  the  rock 
that  beats  back  the  angry  billow — ^you  shall  walk 
unhurt  amid  the  flames — you  shall  be  covered  with 
a  panoply  impervious  to  attack — you  shall  weather 
out  the  storm  in  safety — and  at  last,  when  your 
temptations  and  trials  are  over,  you  shall  sing,  eter- 
nally sing  "Unto  Him  who  hath  loved  me,  and  washed 
me  from  my  sins  in  his  own-  blood ;  to  him  be  glory 
and  dominion  for  ever  and  ever." 


78  YOUNG   CHRISTIAN. 

LETTER  XI. 
SELF-EXAMINATION. 

You  will  recollect,  my  young  friend,  that  I  pro- 
posed to  direct  you  to  the  attainment  of  an  elevated 
standard  of  piety.  In  the  course  of  my  remarks,  you 
must  ever  bear  in  mind  that  I  am  suggesting  only  the 
important  means  and  methods  of  such  attainment. 
Ever  recollect,  that  vrithout  the  Spirit's  influence, 
the  Christian  can  no  more  advance  in  holiness,  than 
the  sinner  repent  and  believe  ;  and  yet  the  former 
wiU  be  guilty  for  not  advancing,  and  the  latter  for 
not  complying  with  the  demands  of  the  Gospel. 

The  three  grand  helps  towards  the  point  at  which 
you  aim,  are  prayer,  self-examination,  and  a  close 
and  dihgent  perusal  of  the  Scriptures.  The  first 
topic  has  been  already  discussed.  Imperfectly  as  it 
has  been  set  forth,  I  trust  you  are  deeply  convinced 
of  its  importance  ;  and  I  shall,  therefore,  briefly  at- 
tend to  the  second,  namely,  self-examination. 

This  is  a  duty  as  difiicult  as  it  is  important.  Every 
Christian  acknowledges  it  to  be  so.  The  object  of 
»elf-examination  is  to  obtain  a  correct  knowledge  of 
our  moral  character.  Before  conversion,  man  is  gen 
erally  a  stranger  to  himself  As  he  comes  forth  from 
thfc  nursery,  he  enters  upon  the  reckless  career  of  boy- 


SELF-EXAMINATION.  79 

hood.  His  eye  and  ear  are  all  attention,  as  one  object 
after  another  crowds  upon  his  view.  He  is  full  of 
interrogatories  concerning  the  phenomena  both  of  art 
and  of  nature.  He  courts  every  trifle  ;  and  when  ob- 
tained, throws  it  away  in  pursuit  of  another.  But  he 
watches  not  the  operations  of  his  own  mind.  He  is, 
indeed,  all  attention  to  the  busy  world  without ;  but 
all  inattention  to  the  busy  world  within.  And  such 
will  he  continue  to  be  when  boyhood  shall  give  place 
to  maturity,  unless  the  Holy  Spirit  turn  his  eye  in- 
ward on  the  soul.  A  philosopher,  he  may  range 
through  nature,  and  collect  and  classify  her  produc- 
tions, and  yet  never  sit  one  solitary  hour  in  severe 
judgment  on  himself.  Such  a  man  is,  in  one  sense, 
a  wise  man,  but  in  another  a  fool.  That  he  is  a  man 
of  knowledge,  no  one  acquainted  with  his  attainments 
can  deny  ;  but,  in  my  opinion,  he  is  far  from  being  a 
man  of  wisdom,  in  the  highest  and  noblest  use  of 
that  term. 

"  Knowledge  and  wisdom,  far  from  being  one, 
flave  ofttimes  no  connection.     Knowledge  dwells 
In  heads  replete  with  thoughts  of  other  men ; 
Wisdom  in  minds  attentive  to  their  own. 
Knowledge  is  proud  that  he  has  learned  so  much  ; 
Wisdom  is  humble  that  he  knows  no  more." 

It  is  surprising  how  few  persons  are  in  the  habit 
of  attending  to  the  operations  of  their  own  minds. 
The  generality  of  mankind  are  so  absorbed  in  the 


80  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

various  pursuits  of  life,  that  no  opportunity  is  allow- 
ed for  serious  introspection.  They  live  in  a  whirlpool 
of  cares  ;  and  to  them,  the  deeper  and  more  boisterous 
the  vortex,  the  better.  They  are  all  hurry  and  bustle  ; 
business  and  pleasure  swallow  up  every  thought ;  and 
thus  life's  important  hours,  like  successive  couriers, 
chase  each  other  into  eternity.  Hence,  you  will  often 
find  these  gay  dreamers,  when  brought  to  a  death-bed, 
taking,  for  the  first  time,  a  direct  and  dreadful  look 
at  themselves.  Life  has  been  frittered  away,  and  eter- 
nity now  stares  them  into  a  consciousness  of  their  ruin. 
The  Christian  who  is  taught  of  the  Spirit,  is  the 
only  man  who  can  be  said  to  be  acquainted  with 
himself.  JSTot  that  he  can  notice  every  hue  of  moral 
feeling ;  nor  can  he  comprehend  the  "  mystery  of  in 
iquity  "  that  pervades  the  heart :  for  it  is  "  deceitful 
above  all  things  ;  who  can  know  it  ?"  But  he  is  so 
much  in  the  habit  of  noticing  his  moral  exercises ; 
he  so  frequently  communes  with  his  own  heart,  that 
he  comes  at  length  to  an  acquaintance  with  himself, 
and  can  pronounce,  with  humble  confidence,  on  his 
present  state  and  his  future  destiny.  Such  a  char- 
'yacter  is  venerable  and  immovable.  Changes  may 
occur ;  prosperity  or  adversity  may  come ;  but  he 
walks  in  too  high  a  region  to  be  unduly  elated  by  the 
former^  or  sinfully  depressed  by  the  latter.  What  a 
calm,  delightful,  enviable  summit.  It  is  hke  the 
mountain  covered  with  verdure,  upon  whose  top  rest 


SELF-EXAMINATION.  81 

(he  mild  beams  of  glory ;  whilst,  in  the  figurative 
language  of  Goldsmith,  the  "  midway  storm"  thun- 
ders and  rages  beneath. 

We  are  expressly  enjoined  by  the  apostle  to  "  ex- 
amine ourselves" — ^to  "  know  our  own  selves  ;"  for 
by  so  doing  we  come  to  the  knowledge  of  our  true 
characters.  If  we  are  Christians,  we  may,  and  we 
must  endeavor  to  know  it.  Such  knowledge  will 
remove  our  fears,  and  add  greatly  to  our  comfort. 
Some,  I  am  well  aware,  walk  in  darkness  and  in 
doubt  to  the  end  of  their  journey.  They  see  no 
light  until  heaven's  glory  breaks  in  upon  the  soul. 
Such,  no  doubt,  was  the  case  of  the  amiable  and 
pious  Cowper ;  but  his  case  was  a  peculiar  one. 

In  general,  the  knowledge  of  his  personal  salvation 
is  attainable  by  the  Christian.  None  should  ever 
think  of  resting  until  such  assurance  is  attained.  It 
may  not  be  the  will  of  God  to  give  it,  but  it  is  his 
will  that  we  should  strive  for  it  If  you  aim  at  an 
elevated  standard  of  piety,  this  will  be  your  mark. 

Some  persons  are  satisfied  with  just  enough  of  re- 
ligion to  ease  the  conscience  and  give  encouragement 
for  a  feeble  hope.  They  never  rise  above  this  grade, 
nor  ever  manifest  more  than  a  sort  of  negative  char- 
acter. Self-examination  they  utterly  neglect ;  or,  if 
they  pretend  to  practise  it,  they  perform  the  duty  so 
seldom  and  superficially,  as  to  depress,  rather  than 
I  levate,  their  own  low  and  diminutive  standard. 


82  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

Be  thou  not  of  their  number.  Employ  every 
means  to  become  thoroughly  acquainted  with  your 
true  character.  Make  religion  your  grand  business. 
Let  the  soul  be  the  all-absorbing  subject  of  interest 
How  dreadful  would  it  be  to  pass  into  eternity  with 
false  hopes  and  mistaken  viewis.  Determine  to  know 
the  worst  as  well  as  the  best  of  your  case.  Oom^Jo" 
a  personal  investigation  with  the  spirit  of  an  inflex- 
ible inquisitor.  Go  into  the  secret  chambers  of  the 
Boul,  and  carry  thither  the  touchstone  of  salvation, 
the  torch  of  truth.  

In  my  next  I  hope  to  enter  a  little  more  minutely 
into  this  subject.  In  the  mean  time  I  commend  you 
to  the  grace  of  Himi  who  is  able  to  build  you  up — 
to  enable  you  to  go  from  strength  to  strength — to  fire 
your  flagging  zeal — rouse  the  animating  hope — and 
put  within  you  the  spirit  of  a  self-denying,  adevoted 
Christian. 


SELF-EXAMINATION.  83 

LETTER  XII. 

SELF-EXAMINATION,   STATED    AND 
OCCASIONAL. 

The  duty  of  self-examination,  like  that  of  prayer, 
is  both  stated  and  occasional.  The  conscientious 
Christian  should  not  suffer  a  single  day  to  pass,  with- 
out an  investigation  of  his  moral  character.  At  the 
close  of  the  day,  and  when  about  to  commit  the 
keeping  of  his  soul  to  Him  "  who  never  slumbereth 
nor  sleepeth,"  he  should  take  a  deliberate  and  serious 
retrospect  of  the  past.  His  conduct,  and  the  motives 
which  prompted  it,  should  pass  under  investigation. 

I  cannot,  my  young  friend,  too  strongly  recom- 
mend to  you  this  practice.  The  most  eminent  saints 
have  been  distinguished  for  it,  and  I  must  press  upon 
you  a  similar  course,  if  you  would  aim  at  an  elevated 
standard  of  piety. 

There  is  less  difficulty  attending  this  diurnal  in- 
vestigation, than  many  professors  imagine.  Were 
long  intervals  to  occur  between  the  periods  of  self 
examination,  we  should  indeed  experience  much  in- 
convenience and  perplexity  in  performing  the  duty. 
"We  should  then  resemble  the  unskilful  and  heedless 
merchant,  who,  pelding  to  habitual  negligence  and 
hurry,  defers  posting  his  books  until  he  is  over- 
whelmed with  their  intricacy  and  magnitude.     But 


M  YOUNG   CHRISTIAN. 

flet  the  duty  be  daily  and  thoroughly  performed,  and 
we  rise  to  the  standard  of  the  skilful  and  prudent 
merchant,  who  duly  records  every  item  of  business  ; 
who  never  closes  his  counting-house,  until  his  bal- 
ance-sheet is  made  up  ;  and  who,  by  a  single  refer- 
ence, can  tell  the  true  state  of  his  accounts,  and  form 
^^  correct  estimate  of  his  commercial  standing. 

You  will  find  yourself  aided  in  this  work  by  a 
secret  journal  or  diary,  which  must  be  excluded  from 
the  inspection  of  all  but  God  and  yourself. 

If  you  are  in  the  habit  of  thus  daily  inquiring  into 
your  motives  and  conduct,  you  will  find  it  an  excel- 
lent preparation  for  approaching  a  throne  of  grace. 
You  will  perceive  so  many  failures  in  duty,  and  such 
frequent  commission  of  sin,  that  your  soul  must 
necessarily  be  humbled  before  God.  You  vdll  also 
perceive  whether  you  make  any  advances  in  know- 
ledge and  holiness,  and  thus  discover  a  source  of 
encouragement,  or  a  stimulus  to  greater  dihgence. 
Your  conscience  will  be  rendered  tender  and  faithful ; 
and  you  will  thus  be  on  the  alert,  that  you  be  not 
tempted,  pr  drawn  aside  from  your  duty.  You  will 
walk  softly  amid  the  thorny  path,  nor  feel  the  bleed- 
ing wounds  which  are  inflicted  on  so  many  careless 
and  worldly-minded  professors. 

Besides  this  daily  process  which  I  am  recommend- 
ing, there  is  one  special  season  of  self-examination 
which  you  should  by  no  means  onlit      The  apostle 


SELF-EXAMINATION.  85 

enjoins  on  every  Christian,  to  examine  himself  before 
he  partakes  of  the  Lord's  supper.  "  Let  a  man  ex- 
amine himself,  and  so  let  him  eat  of  that  bread,  and 
drink  of  that  cup."  This  is  indispensable  to  a  profit- 
able attendance  on  this  interesting  and  significant 
ordinance.  If  you  are  in  the  habit  of  daily  self- 
examination,  you  will  find  the  observance  of  this 
special  season  by  no  means  difficult  or  laborious. 
You  will  have  acquired,  by  your  daily  introspection, 
so  much  self-knowledge — such  a  tact,  if  I  may  be 
allowed  the  expression,  at  seizing  upon  evidence,  and 
analyzing  feelings  and  motives,  that  instead  of  prov- 
ing an  unwelcome  task,  it  will  constitute  a  satisfac- 
tory, comforting,  and  delightful  duty. 

The  reason  why  so  many  complain  of  the  difficulty 
of  a  proper  discharge  of  this  duty,  is  obvious.  I  shall, 
in  a  subsequent  letter,  disclose  it  more  fully. 

Be  assured,  my  young  friend,  that  if  ever  you  ar- 
rive at  an  elevated  standard  of  piety,  you  will  attrib- 
ute it  as  much  to  a  strict  and  persevering  self-exam- 
ination, as  to  any  other  means  which  it  is,  under 
God,  your  privilege  to  use.  It  is  through  a  neglect 
of  this,  that  Christianity  makes,  in  most  of  us,  such 
a  dwarfish  appearance.  It  is  for  the  want  of  this, 
that  hypocrisy  vaunts  itself  in  the  habiliments  of 
piety.  It  is  for  the  want  of  this,  that  doubts,  and 
fears,  and  disquietude,  and  backslidings,  are  so  prev- 
alent     I  entreat  you,  therefore,  as  you  value  youi 


86  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN 

peace  and  your  improvement,  to  persevere  in  the 
faithful  discharge  of  this  duty.  You  will  be  ahun- . 
dantly  rewarded.  Faith  will  walk  arm  in  arm  ^dth 
the  promises ;  hope,  instead  of  a  flickering  light,  will 
become  a  steady  radiation  from  an  unclouded  sun ; 
love  will  grow  to  a  flame  that. "  many  waters  camiot 
quench  ;"  and  zeal,  founded  in  truth,  and  directed  by 
knowledge,  will  hold  on,  until  death,  its  vigorous  and 
untiring  career. 

I  say  not  that  you  will  at  once  arrive  at  this  lofty 
elevation.  Ah,  no ;  you  may  have  many  a  thorny 
path  to  tread,  many  a  rugged  way  to  traverse,  many 
a  difficult  hill  to  climb.  Nights  of  weeping,  and 
days  of  darkness  and  of  tempest  may  intervene.  But 
God  will  interpose  in  your  behalf;  he  will  "  temper 
the  wind  to  the  shorn  lamb." 

Recollect,  for  your  encouragement,  that  the  far- 
ther you  proceed,  the  easier  and  the  more  delightful 
will  be  the  passage.  As  it  approximates  heaven,  it 
partakes  of  celestial  beauty.  Lilie  the  fine,  free  ave- 
nue to  a  noble  metropoHs,  the  proximity  of  this  road 
to  the  heavenly  Jerusalem  opens  wider,  and  shows 
clearer,  and  almost  admits  the  eager  eye  to  catch  the 
Bpires  of  glory  as  they  glitter  in  the  light  of  heaven. 
Take  up  your  cross,  dear  youth,  and  march  forward. 
While  you  may  encounter  difficulties,  you  may  also 
partake  of  many  pleasures — pleasures  which  are  as 
much  superior  to  the  sickly  joys  of  earth,  as  the  river 


SELF-EXAMINATION.  87 

of  life  is  purer  than  the  gieen  waters  of  an  offensive 
and  stagnant  pool. 

"  The  hill  of  Zion  yields 

A  thousand  sacred  sweets, 
Before  we  reach  the  heavenly  fields. 
Or  walk  the  golden  streets." 

To  me  it  has  ever  appeared  strange,  that  when 
so  much  depends  on  the  duty  of  self-examination,  it 
should  be  so  generally  neglected. 

We  do  not  thus  act  in  our  temporal  affairs.  If 
the  claim  to  an  estate  be  attended  with  any  degree 
of  doubt  or  embarrassment,  we  spare  no  pains  to  give 
it  a  thorough  investigation.  If  the  body  be  disor- 
dered, we  are  alive  to  every  symptom,  and  we  watch 
every  new  aspect  of  the  disease.  But  in  respect  to 
the  soul,  we  are  at  little  pains  to  substantiate  its 
hope  by  actual  examination.  We  live  along  as  if 
the  matter  were  settled— as  if  we  had  a  guarantee 
for  our  heavenly  inheritance  ;  when,  in  fact,  all  is 
doubt  and  embarrassment— when  perhaps  we  may 
have  only  "a  name  to  live,  whilst  we  are  dead." 

Let  this  duty,  my  young  friend,  be  viewed  by  you 
as  altogether  indispensable.  Set  about  it  with  dili- 
gence. Should  your  enemy,  knowing  its  usefulness 
and  importance,  attempt  to  discourage  you,  listen  not 
to  the  voice  of  the  tempter.  Renew  your  labor  ;  caU 
upon  God  to  fix  your  thoughts,  and  to  give  you  suc- 
cess. Persevere,  even  unto  death,  in  a  duty  so  neces- 
sary to  your  safety,  and  essential  to  your  comfort. 


88  YOUNG   CHRISTIAN. 

LETTER  XIII. 
SUPERFICIAL    SELF-EXAMINATION. 

It  was  intimated  in  my  last,  that  I  should  pursue 
my  remarks  a  little  farther  upon  self-examination. 
My  reasons  for  so  doing  are,  the  importance  of  the 
subject,  and  the  general  neglect  of  it  with  which 
many  Christians  are  chargeable. 

Since  the  duty  is  so  intimately  connected  with 
your  hope  of  salvation,  your  advancement  in  holiness, 
and  your  general  elevation  of  character,  you  will 
bear  with  me  a  little  longer,  even  though  the  sub- 
ject should  appear  to  be  destitute  of  those  incidental 
attractions  which  are  peculiar  to  the  ordinary  accom- 
plishments of  life.  You  must  first  lay  the  sohd  col- 
umn; the  Corinthian  capital  may  then  be  super- 
added. My  conscience  would  condemn  me,  were  I 
to  speak  first  of  external  conduct,  when  the  piety  of 
the  soul  is  paramount,  and  demands  the  first  and 
deepest  consideration.  Let  this  be  obtained,  and,  I 
doubt  not,  your  manners  and  deportment  will  take 
that  elevated  and  noble  character  which  will  secure 
to  you  the  love  of  the  virtuous,  and  the  respect  and 
admiration  of  all 

Fixing  the  attention  on  manners  and  deportment 
before  the  heart  is  rectified,  is  like  profusely  adorning 
the  exterior  of  a  buildmg  when  it  is  all  unfinished 


SELF-EXAMINATION.  89^ 

and  comfortless  within.  You  are  allured  by  the  im- 
posing aspect  which  it  presents  ;  but  upon  entering, 
how  great  is  your  disappointment  to  find,  not  only 
no  correspondence  in  the  interior,  but  every  thing 
cheerless  and  forbidding.  It  is  certainly  more  pleas- 
ing, to  view  even  a  homely  exterior,  an  outside  that 
promises  but  httle,  and  to  perceive  within,  beauty, 
symmetry,  and  elegance.  Happy  will  you  be,  if, 
gifted  as  you  are  with  at  least  an  agreeable  person, 
you  can  so  irradiate  your  mind  with  knowledge  and 
holiness  as  to  throw  around  you  an  additional  attrac- 
tion, and  make  your  soul  approximate  to  the  comeli- 
ness of  an  unfallen  spirit.  But  I  have  digressed,  and 
must  return. 

The  difficulty  of  arriving  at  a  knowledge  of  our 
true  character,  does  not  arise  from  any  deficiency  or 
obscurity  in  evidence,  as  recorded  in  the  word  of  God, 
but  from  the  manner  of  applying  that  evidence  to 
ourselves.  The  habihty  to  deception  hes  here.  We 
cannot  say  that  we  have  the  evidence,  because  we 
may  have  spurious  and  hypocritical  feehngs,  which 
our  self-love  may  mistake  for  genuine  Christian  emo- 
tions. The  word  of  God  is  full,  clear,  and  explicit. 
It  marks  out  the  true  disciple  of  Christ  with  uner- 
ring exactness.  The  evidence  is  direct  and  indirect, 
positive  and  negative,  in  example  or  embodied  prin- 
ciple. 

The  direct  evidence,  is  that  which  consists  in  a 


90  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

record  of  the  feelings  whicli  every  Christian  must 
possess  The  Bible  is  full  of  this.  The  indirect,  is 
tnat  which  may  be  inferred  from  precepts  and  prm- 
ciples.  The  positive,  is  exhibited  in  all  those  com- 
mands which  relate  to  doing  the  will  of  God.  The 
negative,  from  example  or  embodied  principle,  is  that 
which  is  derived  from  the  conduct  of  the  patriarchal 
and  primitive  saints. 

Thus,  you  see  the  Bible  is  full  of  evidence  relating 
to  the  character  of  the  genuine  follower  of  Christ 
That  evidence  is  clear  and  explicit,  presented  under 
various  forms,  and  couched  in  the  simplest  phrase- 
ology. Where,  then,  lies  the  difficulty  of  correctly 
ascertaining,  at  once,  our  true  character .?  I  will  tell 
you.  (It  lies  in  the  depravity  of  the  human  heart.  ^ 
That  heart,  as  I  have  already  observed,  is  "  deceitful 
above  all  things  :"  and  this  is  the  true  reason  why 
we  cannot  appropriate  this  evidence,  with  the  cer 
tainty  of  its  application. 

But  I  will  enter  into  a  few  particulars,  for  your 
farther  satisfaction,  to  show  you  that  self-examina- 
tion is  as  difficult  as  it  is  important ;  and  that  noth- 
ing but  a  long  course  of  painful,  persevering  effort, 
will  bring  you  to  a  confidence,  unshaken  by  doubt, 
of  your  being  a  child  of  God,  and  a  joint  heir  with 
Jesus  Christ.  You  do  not  wish  to  have  a  name  to 
live,  and  still  be  dead.  You  do  not  desire  to  go  into 
eternity  with  a  profession  only.     No  ;  you  wish  not 


SELF-EXAMINATION.  91 

to  be  deceived  in  so  momentous  an  affair ;  for  the 
world,  you  would  not  be  deceived.  You  have  counted 
the  cost ;  you  have  surveyed  the  cross  ;  and  you  are 
determined  to  follow  your  Lord.  You  will  not  then 
be  discouraged,  when  I  inform  you,  that  to  deal  with 
your  own  heart,  in  close  examination,  is  a  great  and 
difficult  work.  But  the  difficulty,  as  1  before  ob- 
served,  vd.ll  diminish  vidth  diligence. 

One  great  reason  why  so  little  satisfaction  is  ob- 
tained in  the  work,  is,  that  our  investigation  is  not 
complete.  We  do  not  come  to  it  with  a  determina- 
tion to  be  t&orough  in  its  performance.  Although 
we  acknowledge  that  there  is  no  duty  so  difficult,  nor 
any  more  important ;  yet  there  is  none,  perhaps,  more 
superficially  performed.  Although  our  hopes,  our 
peace  of  mind,  our  growth  in  grace,  are  intimately 
connected  with  close  self-examination ;  yet,  how 
easily  are  we  discouraged  by  obstacles  which  the  ene- 
mies of  our  souls  may  interpose  ;  and  how  hastily  do 
we  run  through  the  duty,  deriving  no  satisfaction, 
but  only  enveloping  the  mind  in  still  deeper  gloom. 
After  one  or  two  such  superficial  trials,  some  will 
give  up  the  duty  as  impracticable,  and  live  along  in 
doubt,  and  die,  perhaps,  in  distressing  uncertainty. 

We  are  less  thorough  in  this  spiritual  investigation 
than  we  should  be  in  almost  any  other  subject.  No 
wonder,  then,  that  we  make  such  slow  advances  in 
Belf-knowledge  ;  no  wonder,  that  it  is  generally  viewed 


99  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

as  impracticable,  when  so  superficially  performed 
When  you,  my  yoimg  friend,  enter  upon  this  duty, 
make,  I  entreat  you,  sure  work  with  your  soul ;  ex- 
plore the  secret  motives,  and  analyze  the  evanescent 
feehngs.  If  it  cost  years  of  persevering  labor,  ascer- 
tain, if  possible,  whether  you  have  an  inheritance  on 
high.  May  God,  by  his  Spirit,  assist  you,  and  make 
you  successful. 


SELF-EXAMINATION.  03 

LETTER  XIV. 

SUPERFICIAL    SELF-EXAMINATION. 

I  OBSERVED,  in  my  last,  that  we  were  in  danger 
of  being  superficial  in  the  work  of  self-examination. 
There  will  be  a  strong  temptation  to  this,  from  our 
natural  indolence,  as  well  as  the  difficulties  to  be 
overcome.  Hence,  you  will  find  few  Christians  who 
make  this  duty  a  serious  and  indispensable  business. 
A  httle  hasty  catechizing,  just  before  they  celebrate 
the  Lord's  supper,  is  all  that  is  deemed  necessary. 
Two  or  three  months  may  intervene,  during  which 
the  soul  and  its  momentous  affairs  are  comparatively 
neglected.  When  again  summoned  to  renew  their 
vows  over  the  melting  memorials  of  a  Saviour's  love, 
they  begin  to  think  of  some  preparation ;  but  one 
moment  steals  upon  the  heels  of  another,  and  the 
business  is  deferred  until  the  hour  when  the  inviting 
bell  is  calhng  them  to  the  feast.  Then,  all  is  agita- 
tion and  hurry,  when  all  should  be  calm,  collected, 
and  contemplative.  They  leave  to  themselves,  per- 
haps, a  few  moments,  to  extricate  the  soul  from  a 
tumult  of  cares  ;  and  after  an  ineffectual  and  super- 
ficial attempt  at  self-examination,  they  go  tremblingly^ 
'm  doubt,  or  fearlessly  in  cold-hearted  presumption. 

Such  is  the  character  of  many  who  profess  to  b* 


94  VOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

aiming  at  the  crown  of  glory.  They  do  not  sit  in 
iudgment  on  the  internal  man,  as  did  David,  when 
he  threw  open  the  chambers  of  his  secret  soul,  and 
exclaimed,  "  Search  me,  0  God,  and  know  my  heart ; 
try  me,  and  know  my  thoughts  ;  and  see  if  there  be 
any  wricked  way  in  me,  and  lead  me  in  the  way  ever- 
lasting." It  is  mere  half-way  work  with  them. 
Conscience  prejudges  and  condemns.  To  silence  hei 
clamors,  it  is  necessary  that  they  make  at  least  a 
show  of  self-examination.  But  when  they  take  u 
the  sacred  record,  they  find  so  little  there  which  can 
be  honestly  appropriated  in  their  favor,  that  they  are 
obliged,  if  they  would  glean  any  thing  for  their  en- 
couragement, to  misinterpret  and  misapply  its  mean- 
ing. When  they  meet  with  such  a  sweeping  decla- 
ration as  this,  "  If  any  man  love  the  world,  and  the 
things  that  are  in  the  world,  the  love  of  the  Father 
is  not  in  liim  ;"  when  their  eyes  glance  at  so  discrim- 
inating a  text,  they  employ  a  ready  sophistry,  to 
modify  its  severity,  or  avert  its  application. 

There  is,  recollect,  a  strong  temptation  to  be  par- 
tial in  this  important  work.  Self-love  prompts  us  to 
look  more  eagerly  for  the  favorable,  than  the  unfa- 
vorable evidence  ;  and  gives  us  a  greater  readiness 
in  applying  the  former  than  the  latter.  It  is  an  ob- 
ject with  our  spiritual  enemies,  to  flatter  us  into  a 
behef  of  our  good  estate,  that  we  may  omit  our  watch, 
and  indulge  our  vain-confident  expectations.     Thou 


S3ELF-EXAMINATION.  95 

sands  are,  by  this  means,  led  blindfolded  down  to 
ruin. 

The  superficial  Christian  seizes  the  most  equivocal 
evidence.  It  will  not  take  much  to  persuade  him^ 
that  all  is  safe.  If  a  vast  amount  of  Scripture  ia 
against  him,  and  he  can  yet  find  but  here  and  there 
a  single  text,  whose  aspect  in  his  case  is,  to  say  the 
least,  doubtful,  how  eagerly  will  he  grasp  it,  and  cas^ 
it  into  the  favorable  scale.  It  is,  with  him,  a  prin- 
ciple, to  be  satisfied  with  the  least  possible  testimony. 
He  will  make  one  text,  which  he  supposes  to  be  in 
his  favor,  neutralize  a  hundred  others  which  are 
most  unequivocally  against  him.  Hence,  you  will 
sometimes  hear  professing  Christians  declare,  that 
were  it  not  for  this  one  text,  **  "We  know  that  we  have 
passed  from  death  unto  life,  because  we  love  the 
brethren,"  they  should  be  driven  to  despair. 

This  may,  indeed,  be  the  language  of  a  sincere  dis- 
ciple ;  of  one  who  walks  in  darkness,  but  who  goes 
mourning  over  his  personal  deficiency.  Far  be  it 
from  me  to  discourage  such.  This  precious  text  was 
recorded  by  the  compassionate  Spirit  for  him ;  and 
often,  when  the  billows  were  high,  and  the  prospect 
all  darkness,  it  has  beamed  like  a  star  of  hope  upon 
his  trembling  soul,  and  saved  it  from  despau'  and 
death.  But  when  I  hear  it  quoted  by  a  thoughtless, 
worldly-minded  professor,  I  account  it  a  sad  mart 
against  him.     Is  this  the  only  text  to  which  he  car 


96  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

cling  ?  Let  him  recollect,  tliat  the  same  apostle  also 
said,  "  By  this  we  know  that  we  love  the  children 
of  God,  when  we  love  God,  and  keep  his  command- 
ments." 

The  superficial  professor  seems  determined,  if  pos- 
sible, to  make  the  Bible  speak  in  his  favor.  He 
comes  not  to  that  infalKble  touchstone  with  a  sincere 
desire  to  probe  his  heart,  to  examine  the  reason  of  his 
hope,  and  to  scrutinize  the  foundation  of  his  confi- 
dence. He  comes  not  -with,  a  resolution  to  make 
thorough  and  impartial  work,  but  to  make  the  word 
of  God,  hke  the  fabled  oracles  of  heathenism,  speak 
a  language  ambiguous  and  equivocal. 

Now,  my  young  friend,  be  thou  of  a  different  spirit 
Go  into  this  investigation  with  a  resolution  that  you 
will  be  thorough  and  impartial.  Say  to  your  Bible, 
I  will  consult  thee  faithfully,  thou  uifallible  book.  1 
will  let  thy  Hght  into  the  darkest  chambers  of  my 
heart.  The  sword  of  the  Spirit  shall  search  the  sys- 
tem, and  probe  my  wounded  nature  in  the  tenderest 
part.  I  will  not  shrink  from  the  inquisition,  but  will 
enter  upon  it  sincerely,  and  persevere  in  it  through 
Ufe 


SELF-EXAMINATION.  .  9f 

LETTER  XV. 
DANGER   OF  DECEIVING   OURSELVES. 

The  character  of  the  superficial  professor  I  must 
carry  along  with  me,  in  order  to  show  you  the  im- 
portance and  the  happiness  of  aiming  at  a  high 
standard  of  attainment. 

He  is  a  miserable  self-deceiver  who  imagines  that 
any  advantage  is  gained  by  persuading  himself,  con- 
trary to  evidence,  that  he  is  a  Christian.  And  yet 
there  are  thousands  of  this  character.  WTiy  do  they 
not  reflect  on  God's  omniscience  ?  Why  do  they  not 
consider,  that  their  own  good  opinion  of  themselves 
will  not  alter  their  true  character.  God  looketh 
upon  the  heart.  He  strips  the  outward  man,  and 
carries  his  judicial  sentence  home  upon  the  soul. 
He  can  tear  from  the  heart  its  most  artful  disguises, 
and  look  with  an  eye  of  infallible  decision  on  its 
emotions.  With  his  "  fan  in  his  hand,"  he  will  pass 
through  the  visible  church,  "  and  gather  his  wheat 
into  the  garner ;  but  he  will  burn  up  the  chaff  with 
unquenchable  fire." 

He  who  attends  to  self-examination  superficially, 
places  too  much  confidence  in  the  judgment  of  others. 
Every  person  knows,  that  if  another's  opinion  be  co- 
incident with  our  own,  we  are  flattered  by  it.  This 
is  especially  the  case  when  it  respects  our  rehgioui 


98  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

character.  Some,  who  are  fearful  of  deception,  will 
I  am  well  aware,  never  admit  the  opinion  of  others 
to  have  any  weight.  This  is  certainly  the  safest 
extreme.  Such  are  generally  mourning  Christians, 
who  are  much  more  prone  to  form  an  unfavorable, 
than  a  flattering  opinion  of  their  condition.  But 
others  are  disposed  to  place  undue  reliance  on  the 
judgment  of  those  who  have  expressed  the  belief 
that  they  are  Christians.  This  satisfies  them  ;  espe- 
cially if  it  be  the  judgment  of  those  whom  they 
greatly  respect,  and  whose  perspicacity  as  to  moral 
character,  they  have  been  in  the  habit  of  considering 
as  wellnigh  infallible.  Perhaps  it  is  merely  the  wish 
of  a  beloved  friend,  or  the  expression  of  parental 
hope,  rather  than  a  deliberate  and  formal  decision 
upon  ascertained  e^ddence  ;  still,  it  is  often  enough  to 
undermine  the  duty  of  close  self-examination,  and 
induce  a  carelessness,  and  a  confidence,  awfully  pro- 
phetic of  deep  delinquency,  and  melancholy  back 
sHding. 

It  will  be  evident  to  you,  my  young  friend,  thai 
confidence,  if  it  have  no  better  foundation,  is  nothing 
else  than  presumption ;  and  that  it  may,  ere  long, 
load  to  great  doubt  and  perplexity,  if  not  to  absolute 
despair. 

The  hope  of  eternal  life  is  not  to  be  taken  up  on 
slight  grounds.  It  is  a  subject  to  be  settled  between 
God  and  your  own  soul.     I  would  not  despise  the 


SELF    EXAMINATION.  99 

advice,  nor  reject  entirely  the  opinion  of  others  ;  but 
I  would  be  careful  not  to  trust  too  much  to  such  ad- 
vice and  opinion.  Since  you  are  to  stand  or  fall  by 
the  word  of  God,  it  is  to  that,  and  to  that  alone,  you 
must  look  for  testimony  in  your  case.  The  advice 
and  the  opinion  of  ministers,  and  piivate  Christians, 
you  will  seek  and  respect ;  but  you  will  not  regard 
them  as  infallible,  nor  place  your  reliance  upon  them. 
Let  them  neither  sink  you  to  despair,  nor  elevate 
you  to  a  vain  confidence. 

You  know  full  well,  that  no  finite  being  can  pro- 
nounce with  certainty  on  your  spiritual  condition. 
Even  the  holy  apostles,  who  were  under  the  imme* 
diate  inspiration  of  God,  were  not  endued  with  this 
prerogative.  Were  they  not  deceived  respecting  the 
characters  of  Simon  the  sorcerer,  of  Demas,  and  of 
others  ?  How,  then,  can  we  trust  our  souls  to  the 
opinion  of  fallible  man?  "What  rehance  can  we 
place  on  any  thing  short  of  God,  and  his  unerring 
oracles  ? 

I  dwell  the  longer  on  this  topic,  because  I  have 
not  seen  the  point  brought  out  fully  in  any  of  the 
experimental  treatises  which  have  fallen  under  my 
observation;  and  because  there  is,  in  most  persons 
a  strong  tendency  to  lean  upon  the  judgment  of 
others,  rather  than  to  be  at  the  pains  of  a  severe  and 
strict  investigation  for  themselves.  You  cannot  bo 
ignorant  that  such  a  course  must  be  unsafe  and  un 


100  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

satisfactory.  How  mucli  better  to  go  at  once  to  the 
Bible.  If  we  there  find  our  character  to  be  that  of 
the  saints  who  have  gone  before  us,  what  joy  and 
assurance  will  it  give.  We  know  that  we  are  stand 
ing  on  a  rock — we  feel  that  it  is  stable  as  eternity. 
But  if  we  lean  to  human  opinion,  we  shall  ever  find 
our  evidences  equivocal,  and  our  hope  neither  suie 
nor  steadfast. 

Remember,  too,  my  young  friend,  that  those  who 
love  us,  and  who  wish  us  to  become  Christians,  are 
very  liable  to  be  satisfied  with  the  shadow  of  evi- 
dence. They  grasp  at  the  first  hopeful  appearances, 
and  pronounce  often  a  favorable  decision  when  there 
are  not  sufficient  grounds  to  warrant  it.  When  you 
recollect  this,  you  will  receive  their  opinion  with  the 
greater  hesitancy,  and  feel  more  deeply  the  impor- 
tance of  settling  the  question  over  your  Bible ;  be- 
tween God  and  your  own  soul.  Man  can  look  only 
at  the  outside  ;  his  limited  vision  cannot  penetrate 
within.  But  God  looketh  on  the  heart — on  that 
wandering,  wayward  heart,  the  seat  of  so  many  joys 
and  sorrows,  the  abode  of  so  much  deceitfuhiess  and 
impurity.  He  knows  its  character.  He  analyzes  its 
emotions. 

To  him,  therefore,  carry  your  soul,  and  vidth 
David  invoke  his  scrutiny.  Then  will  you  be  able 
to  give  to  him  that  asketh  you,  "  a  reason  of  the 
liope  that  is  in  you,  with  meelmess  and  fear."    Then 


SELF-EXAMINATION.  101 

you  shall  have  "  the  peace  of  God  which  passeth  all 
understanding."  Your  title  to  a  heavenly  inherit- 
ance shall  bear  the  royal  signet — a  seal  which  none 
on  earth  dare  question ;  and  which,  when  the  gates 
of  death  shall  be  unbarred,  shall  give  you  free  access 
to  the  royal  presence,  and  to  the  temple  of  God  on 
high.  K-est  satisfied  with  nothing  short  of  this 
seal — and  may  the  Lord  enable  you  to  persevere  in 
seeking  it. 


108  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

LETTER  XVI. 

PAST   EXPERIENCES. 

In  prosecuting  the  work  of  self-examination,  there 
is  another  danger  to  which  you  will  be  liable,  and 
against  which  I  would  guard  you — a  reliance  upon 
past  experie7tce.  If  you  suffer  this  to  have  a  prac- 
tical influence  upon  you,  it  will  palsy  every  effort, 
and  make  you  to  sit  down  in  indolence,  satisfied  with 
present  attainments,  when  you  should  be  pressing 
towards  the  mark,  for  the  prize  of  your  high  calHng. 

I  mention  this,  because  it  is  a  very  common  fault, 
and  one  but  little  regarded.  What  can  be  pleaded 
in  extenuation  of  such  spiritual  sluggishness,  I  can- 
not conceive. 

The  holy  apostle  who,  next  to  his  Lord,  is  the 
brightest  example  which  is  set  before  us,  counted  all 
his  past  attainments  as  nothing,  so  long  as  any  inter- 
val remained  between  liim  and  the  perfection  which 
is  in  Christ  Jesus.  Hence,  he  compares  himself  to 
one  struggling  in  a  race,  reaching  forth,  and  pressing 
towards  the  prize  which  was  set  before  him.  What 
a  beautiful  figure — reaching  forth,  pressing  towards — 
mark  the  expressions. 

If  you  had  ever  seen  an  Olympic  race,  where  there 
were  numerous  competitors ;  if  you  had  ever  wit- 


SELF-EXAMINATION.  103 

nessed  their  earnestness,  as  they  approached  the 
goal — every  muscle  strained  to  the  utmost,  and  the 
hand  reaching  forward  to  seize  the  crown — ^you 
would  have  a  more  impressive  idea  df  this  beautiful 
metaphor.  May  you,  by  happy  experience,  know  its 
import.  But,  my  young  friend,  I  fear  that  there  are 
few,  very  few  of  these  Olympic  strugglers  in  the 
Christian  race.  Too  many  are  satisfied  to  look  .on 
as  spectators,  wliile  a  few  only,  run  and  win  the 
prize.  Too  many  loiter  in  the  course,  or  turn  off 
into  the  by-paths  of  iniquity.  They  base  their  con- 
fidence on  past  experience.  They  seem  to  have  set- 
tled the  pomt  once  for  all.  They  will  perhaps  admit 
that,  as  to  present  evidence  of  Christian  character, 
they  have  not  much  to  ofier ;  but  they  refer  you  to 
the  time  when  their  evidence  was  clear  and  unequiv- 
ocal. "There  was  a  period,"  say  they,  "when  we 
experienced  conversion.  A  great  change  took  place 
in  our  feelings,  afiections,  and  conduct.  We  can  no 
more  doubt  that  it  was  the  work  of  God,  than  that 
our  bodies  are  a  part  of  his  creation.  Others  saw 
and  acknowledged  the  change.  'Tis  true,  we  do  not 
feel  now  as  we  did  then  ;  but  we  were  told  that  this 
abatement  of  feeling  was  to  be  expected — that  the 
ardor  of  the  youthful  convert  could  not  last  forever." 
Ask  such  vain-confident  persons  for  the  evidence  of 
their  faith,  and  they  refer  you  immediately  to  this 
antedated  hope.     They  are  at  no  pains  to  inquire  for 


104  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN 

the  present  evidences  of  their  being  in  a  state  of  sal- 
vation. The  business  was  settled  years  ago.  Others, 
who  will  not  go  quite  to  this  length,  will  secretly 
feed  their  hopes  too  much  upon  the  past,  instead  of 
inquiring  into  present  marks  of  grace.  It  is  a  sad 
proof  that  they  are  either  deceived  with  false  appear- 
ances, or  declining  from  God  and  from  duty. 

I  do  not  mean  by  these  remarks  to  imply  that  we 
are  never  to  recur  to  past  experience  for  hope  and 
consolation.  1  believe  we  are  permitted,  by  the 
word  of  God,  and  the  examples  of  his  samts,  so  to  do. 
David,  in  a  time  of  deep  trouble,  said,  "  I  will  re- 
member thee,  from  the  land  of  Jordan,  from  the 
Hermonites,  and  from  the  hill  Mizar." 

But  what  I  wish  to  guard  you  against,  my  young 
friend,  is  placing  too  much  confidence  in  the  past, 
and  sufiering  it  to  operate  as  an  opiate  to  present 
vigilance  and  activity.  Past  experience  is  one  of 
the  devil's  lures  to  vain  confidence  ;  one  of  the  veriest 
subterfuges  of  hypocrisy ;  one  of  the  most  common 
and  fatal  grounds  of  self-deception.  Even  Paul 
would  not  trust  to  the  past,  although  he  had  been 
struck  blind  by  a  beatific  vision  of  his  Master,  and 
introduced  into  liis  kingdom  under  circumstances  so 
striking  and  pecuhar.  No ;  forgetting  all  that  is  past, 
"  he  presses  towards  the  mark  for  the  prize  of  his 
high  calling  in  Christ  Jesus." 

These  old  hopes,  this  former  experience,  you  can 


SELF-EXAMINATION.  105 

not  depend  upon.  As  well  might  you  think  of  cross- 
ing the  ocean  in  a  worm-eaten  vessel.  While  the 
weather  was  mild,  and  the  sea  calm,  you  might 
float  in  apparent  security ;  but  should  the  heavens 
grow  dark,  and  the  billows  begin  to  beat  upon  the 
vessel,  you  would  fall  a  speedy  prey  to  the  all-devour- 
ing wave.  The  Christian  who  has  no  better  basis 
*  than  by-gone  experience  to  rest  upon,  may  live  on, 
amid  the  sunshine  of  life,  in  apparent  ease  and  com- 
fort; but  in  that  hour  when  God  taketh  away  tho 
soul,  he  will  long  for  something  more  substantial  to 
cUng  to  than  a  doubtful  and  antedated  hope. 

Many  are  thus  fatally  deceived.  To  them  hfe 
seems  to  glide  onward  undisturbed,  and  the  soul  is 
rocked  asleep  on  the  pillow  of  past  experience.  Con- 
science may  be  so  far  stupefied  as  not  even  to  arouse 
at  the  call  of  death.  They  may  knock  at  heaven's 
gate,  but  they  may  also  hear  the  dread  voice  within, 
"  I  know  you  not ;  depart  from  me,  ye  workers  of 
iniquity." 

Such  self-deceivers  will  not  acknowledge  the  duty 
of  daily  self-examination.  It  is  impossible  to  rouse 
them  to  the  performance  of  it.  They  are  cased  in 
an  impervious  mail.  They  have,  in  this  past  expe- 
rience, an  antidote  to  every  fear,  and  an  apology  for 
every  delinquency.  0,  be  thou  not  of  their  number. 
Look  for  daily  evidence  of  salvation.  It  is  present 
evidences  that  are  called  for,  and  such  cannot  be 


106  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

given  without  a  daily,  habitual  self-examination. 
In  all  your  past  experience,  there  is,  to  say  the  least, 
a  possibility  of  your  having  been  deceived;  it  is 
therefore  not  a  sufficient  ground  of  trust.  You  must 
be  ready  now,  "  to  give  to  him  that  asketh,  the  rea- 
son of  the  hope  that  is  within  you."  If  you  pursue 
the  course  which  I  have  marked  out,  you  shall  never 
need  to  bring  forward  an  old  and  antedated  hope  as 
the  only  evidence  of  your  faith,  but  in  every  look, 
and  word,  and  action,  you  shall  make  it  certain  to 
all,  that  you  are,  in  deed  and  in  truth,  a  Christian. 


SELF-EXAMINATION.  107 

LETTER  XVII. 
SUPERFICIAL   SELF-EXAMINATION. 

Assurance  of  salvation,  or  even  a  well-grounded, 
uniform,  and  scriptural  hope,  is  a  blessing  which  is 
not  attained  by  a  superficial  and  infrequent  self- 
examination.  It  is  not  generally  enjoyed  until  after 
a  series  of  persevering  and  well-applied  exertions.. 
Sometimes,  where  there  is  a  desire  to  be  thorough 
and  diligent,  it  is  not  enjoyed.  It  appears  to  be  the 
will  of  God,  that  some  should  go  weeping  after  it^ 
even  to  the  grave.  But  generally,  if  Christians  are 
faithful,  they  will  arrive  at  a  confirmed  and  satisfac- 
tory hope  of  eternal  life. 

There  is  difficulty,  I  admit,  in  the  work  of  self- 
examination.  "  Even  the  righteous  are  scarcely 
saved — saved,  in  many  instances,  as  by  fire."  The 
heart  is  so  deceitful,  and  the  enemies  of  our  soul  so 
full  of  evil  machinations,  that  we  are  liable  to  draw 
too  favorable  conclusions  of  our  being  in  a  state  of 
Balvation.  There  are  times,  too,  when  we  seem 
afraid  to  uncover  our  bosoms  to  the  piercing  glance 
of  God.  Like  merchants  who  are  on  the  borders  of 
insolvency,  we  shrink  from  making  a  thorough  inves- 
tigation of  our  accounts.  We  tremble  at  the  thought 
of  finding  ourselves  spiritual  bankrupts,  and  are  ali 


108  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

most  willing,  if  I  may  be  allowed  tie  comparison,  to 
forge  evidences  in  our  favor,  and  to  our  own  decep- 
tion. 

This  is  especially  tlie  character  of  one  who  is  not 
-  habitually  and  daily  engaged  in  tho  work  of  self- 
examination.  There  is  an  uncertainty  and  confusion 
about  his  hopes,  which  make  him  afraid  to  enter  too 
deeply  into  the  state  of  his  circumstances.  He  does 
not  open  the  Bible,  and  appeal  to  its  searchmg 
truths.  He  fears  that  the  scrutiny  would  sweep 
down  his  cherished  expectations.  He  is,  therefore, 
tempted  to  hunt  out  only  those  portion-?  of  Scripture 
which  appear  to  favor  his  case,  and  to  blind  his 
vision  to  those  which  would  shake  his  <".onfidence,  or 
eradicate  his  hopes.  When  he  would  examine  him- 
self respecting  the  love  or  the  renunciation  of  sin,  he 
is  far  from  being  a  thorough  and  impartial  censor. 
He  can  yield  up  some  of  the  least-loved  sinful  habits, 
and  can  give  full  credit  to  liimself  for  the  self-denial ; 
but  the  "right  hand"  and  the  "right  eye"  are  not 
parted  with.  Some  worldly  project  is  in  view, 
which  militates  against  too  severe  a  standard  of 
religious  character,  and  which  would  be  found  to  be 
inconsistent  by  too  close  an  application  to  Bible 
ethics.  Accordingly,  instead  of  making  the  world 
yield  to  the  claims  of  Christianity,  he  must  narrow 
down  Christianity  to  accommodate  the  world. 
Business,  pleasure,  and  love  of  reputation,  when 


SELF-EXAMINATION.  109 

they  get  the  ascendency,  make  self-examination  an 
irksome  and  unpleasant  duty.  When  a  Christian 
professor  is  too  eager  in  pursuit  of  them,  he  always 
feels  a  conviction  of  delinquency,  deprivuig  him  of 
til  at  free  and  noble  air  which  is  ever  the  concomi- 
tant of  an  approving  conscience,  and  filling  his  mind 
with  feeble  apologies  for  himself,  or  with  unjust  cen- 
sures against  his  superiors  in  piety. 

Now,  can  such  a  person  come  fearlessly  up  to  the 
w^ork  of  self-examination  ?  Can  he  take  the  Bible 
m  his  hand,  and  appeal  to  the  heart-searching  God  ? 
Can  he  be  a  faithful  inquisitor  of  the  internal  man  ? 
"Will  he  not  gloss  over  his  sin  ?  "Will  he  not  hunt 
for  evidence  to  neutralize  his  guilt  ? 

Such  a  character  is  satisfied  with  just  enough  of 
religion  to  make  him  respectable  here,  and  afford  a 
vague  hope  of  happiness  hereafter.  But,  alas,  he  is 
disappointed  in  both.  He  is  view^ed  as  hypocritical 
and  insincere  by  many  of  his  fellow-men  ;  and  there 
is  great  reason  to  apprehend,  that  when  God  cometh 
to  "make  up  his  jewels,"  he  will  be  found,  not 
among  them,  but  with  unbelievers,  in  the  regions  of 
despair. 

It  is  by  exhibiting  to  your  view,  my  young  friend, 
this  superficial  and  flimsy  Christianity,  that  I  would 
vvarn  you  against  it,  and  rouse  you  to  dihgence  in 
aiming  at  an  elevated  standard  of  piety.  Whilst 
there  are  difficulties  connected  viith  the  performance 


110  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

of  Cliristiaii  duties,  difficulties  of  no  common  magni- 
tude, they  are  still  not  insurmountable.  The  timid 
and  the  he.sitating  shrink  and  despond ;  but  tiie  true 
child  of  God  knows  that  he  has  enlisted  ih  a  warfare 
that  cannot  end  but  with  hfe.  When  he  puts  Iris 
hai^i  to  God's  covenant,  when  he  gives  his  name  to 
the  Captain  of  his  salvation,  it  is  a  deliberate  and 
well-considered  act.  He  has  counted  the  cost.  He  . 
has  surveyed  the  enemy  ;  and  whilst  he  acknow- 
ledges his  own  feebleness,  he  confides  in  that  pledged 
assistance  and  protection  which  will  render  him  in 
vincible  and  triumphant. 

I  hope  that  you  have  thus  considered  the  subject, 
and  determined  to  make  a  thorough  and  well-disci- 
pHned  disciple.     I  trust,  that  with  you,  religion  shall 

I  be  all  in  all.     It  must  be  the  business  of  every  day  ; 

\  it  must  be  the  business  of  life. 

It  is  a  grand  mistake  to  suppose  that  the  superii 
cial  Christian  can  possess  spiritual  enjoyments.    They 

1  are  not  for  him.  They  are  for  the  laborious,  the  self- 
^<Miied,  the  pains-taking  Christian.  It  is  the  soldier 
who  sleeps  in  his  armor,  springs  to  his  post  at  a  word, 
rushes  mto  the  thickest  of  the  fight,  and  deals  his 
well-directed  blows  upon  the  enemy — it  is  he,  and  he 
alone,  upon  whom  his  admiring  commander  bestows 
the  meed  of  honor,  and  the  trophies  of  victory. 

Be  it  yours  to  imitate  liim  in  the  spiritual  conflict, 
and  it  shall  be  yours  to  share,  like  him,  in  the  rewards 


SELF-EXAMINATION.  Ill 

of  conquest :  and  even  far  before  him  shall  you  be 
honored,  for  you  shall  sit  at  the  King's  table,  and 
partake  of  the  rich  provisions  of  his  temple.  Every 
thing  urges  you  to  diligence  and  to  duty ;  your  honor 
and  your  happiness,  your  safety  and  your  reward.  0 
then,  forgetting  the  things  which  are  behind,  reach 
forth,  press  onward,  and  the  prize,  the  glorious  prize, 
shall  be  soon  and  for  ever  yours. 


112  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

LETTER  XVIII. 

SELF-EXAMINATION— CONTINUED. 

Self-exaimination  respects  both  feeling  and  coU" 
dicct.  A  difficulty  occurs  in  ascertaining  whether 
the  former  is  according  to  the  spirit,  and  the  latter 
correspondent  with  the  precepts  of  the  Bible.  I  am 
persuaded  that  you  are  already  impressed  with  the 
importance  of  the  duty,  and  are  resolved  that  it  shall 
occupy  a  promment  place  in  the  daily  exercises  of  the 
closet. 

But  methuiks  I  hear  you  inquire  in  what  way 
you  are  to  proceed  ;  how  you  are  to  know  that  you 
pursue  the  duty  to  advantage  ;  and  whether  you  are 
not,  after  all,  Hable  to  deception.  I  have  already 
forewarned  you  of  difficulties  which  will  appear  for- 
midable, and  which,  at  the  very  threshold  of  your 
Christian  course,  will  be  thrown  in  your  way,  to 
arrest  your  progress,  and  frighten  you  from  the  dis- 
charge of  duty.  But  be  not  discouraged  nor  intimi- 
dated. Repeated  efforts  in  prayer  to  God,  will  ena- 
ble you  to  breast  the  opposition ;  and  that  which  at 
first  appeared  fraught  with  difficulties,  will  be  found, 
after  a  few  incipient  discouragements,  easy  and  de- 
lightful. 

Satan  will  exert  his  utmost  power  to  hinder  you 


SELF-EXAMINATION.  113 

from  this  all-important  duty.  He  knows  how  much 
your  hopes,  and  your  advancement  in  holiness,  depend 
upon  the  faithful  discharge  of  it.  Having  in  so  many 
other  cases  succeeded  in  hindering  its  performance, 
he  will  hope  in  yours  to  succeed.  May  the  grace  of 
God  enable  you  to  disappoint  him.  May  you  perse- 
vere, even  amid  discouragements,  until  the  duty  shall 
become  to  you  a  most  precious  privilege. 

When  you  enter  upon  this  work,  you  will  first  look 
upward  to  heaven,  in  a  few  short  petitions,  that  God 
would  grant  you  his  Holy  Spirit ;  that  he  would  fix 
your  attention  on  the  immediate  duty  before  you ; 
that  he  would  keep  you  from  a  superficial  investiga- 
tion, and  enable  you  to  deal  closely  and  thoroughly 
with  your  heart. 

"We  are  very  liable,  in  our  retirement,  to  wander- 
ing thoughts  ;  and  I  doubt  not,  that  hours  have  been 
wasted  in  the  closet  in  a  vam  attempt  to  ^  the 
mind,  while  it  eluded  the  efibrt,  and  sported  itself  in 
fanciful  and  foolish  visions. 

It  is  important,  therefore,  that  we  at  once  counter- 
act'tliis  desultory  state  of  mind,  by  fervent  prayer  to 
God.  We  should  then,  in  a  measure,  anticipate  Sa- 
tan, who  is  always  most  busy  with  the  children  of 
God  when  they  are  the  nearest  to  duty,  and  are 
about  to  receive  some  great  spiritual  benefit. 

Our  self-examination,  I  have  already  said,  respects 
»ur  state  of  feelings,  and  our  external  conduct.    Has 

y.  ChristiaR.  " 


114  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

the  former  partaken  of  the  spirit  of  Christ  ?  Has 
the  latter  corresponded  with  his  precepts  ?  It  is  no 
very  difficult  matter  for  a  conscientious  and  reflecting 
individual  to  retrace  the  occurrences  of  a  single  day. 
But  if  the  business  be  deferred  for  weeks  and  months, 
his  sms  will  be  multiplied  and  forgotten  amid  the 
fluctuating  scenes  of  life.  Conscious  that  there  has 
been  much,  in  both  heart  and  life,  to  condemn,  but 
forgetting  the  particulars,  he  is  obliged  to  repent  in 
the  gross. 

But  he  who  daily  calls  himself  to  an  account,  will, 
after  a  few  trials,  find  the  employment  both  easy 
and  edifying.  With  what  feelings,  he  will  ask,  did 
I  awake  ?  Did  my  gratitude  for  nocturnal  repose  and 
protection  rise  with  the  rismg  light  to  Him  who  is 
the  Watrhman  of  Israel,  and  who  never  slumbereth 
nor  sleepeth  ?  Or  was  I,  like  the  brute,  indifferent 
to  the  kindness  of  my  heavenly  Guardian  ?  Did  I 
arise  with  the  breath  of  praise  on  my  lips,  and  the 
spirit  of  devotion  in  my  heart  ?  Or  were  my  thoughts 
scattered  and  desultory  ?  In  my  morning  devotions, 
can  I  say  that  I  enjoyed  a  near  access  to  God,  so  that 
I  communed  with  him  even  as  it  were  from  the 
mercy-seat  ?  Did  I  wrestle  ?  Did  I  agonize  ?  "Was 
this  the  spirit,  or  were  my  prayers  formal  and  forced  ? 
.'  Was  my  frame  of  inind  sluggish  and  cold?  Were 
{  my  petitions  hurried  and  insmcere?  Did  I  really 
\  desire  the  blessings  I  sought ;  or  did  I  only  mention 


SELF-EXAMINATION.  115 

them  as  a  necessary  part  of  prayer  ?  Had  I  a  deep 
sense  of  my  rni worthiness,  and  a  full  conviction  of  the 
necessity  of  my  Mediator's  blood  and  merits  ?  In  my 
petitions,  was  my  soul  drawn  forth  in  solicitude  for 
others  ;  or  did  I  confine  them  to  myself  ? 

Having  left  my  closet,  did  I  watch  unto  prayer  ? 
I  besought  God  to  keep  me  from  sin  ;  but  has  my 
conduct  this  day  been  in  unison  with  my  prayers  ? 
I  prayed  for  sanctification ;  but  have  I  detected  and 
suppressed  the  first  risings  of  secret  iniquity  ?  I  en- 
treated God  for  more  light  and  knowledge  ;  but  have  i 
I  meditated  on  his  works,  and  studied  his  word  ?  I  ; 
deprecated  my  easily  besetting  sin ;  but  have  I  en- 
deavored to  avoid  it  ?  I  prayed  for  Zion,  and  for  the 
salvation  of  the  impenitent ;  but  have  I  spoken  a 
word  of  warning  or  exhortation  to  any  person  tliis 
day  ?  Have  I  watched  the  leadings  of  Providence  ? 
Have  I  advanced  in  the  knowledge  of  God  ?  Have 
I  made  any  new  discoveries  of  his  glory  ?  Have  I 
learned  more  of  the  machinations  of  Satan,  or  seen 
deeper  into  the  deceitfulness  of  my  own  heart  ? 

These  are  a  few  general  questions,  which  may 
serve  as  a  guide  to  one  who  wishes  an  outline  of 
daily  self-examination.  1 


116  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

LETTER  XIX. 

FAITHFUL  SELF-EXAMINATION. 

In  my  last  communicatioii,  I  instituted  some  jn- 
quiries,  which,  as  I  supposed,  would  be,  profitably 
comiected  with  a  retrospect  of  the  day.  I  am  aware, 
my  young  friend,  that  one  person  cannot  lay  down 
rules  on  this  subject  which  shall  apply  precisely  to 
the  feelings  and  circumstances  of  others.  I  give  you, 
therefore,  only  a  sketch,  by  which  your  inexperience 
may  possibly  be  benefited. 

The  questions  which  one  would  wish  to  propose, 
in  taking  a  retrospect  of  the  day,  must  of  course  vary 
according  to  circumstances. 

I,  who  am  a  minister,  and  who  have  the  care  of 
souls,  must  inquire  more  particularly  into  my  fidelity. 
Have  I  wrestled  this  day  for  the  souls  of  my  dear 
people  ?  Have  I  improved  every  opportunity  to  do 
them  good  ?  Have  I  preached  the  truth  as  it  is  in 
Jesus  ?  etc. 

But  you,  in  inquiring  into  your  conduct,  miust  adapt 
those  inquiries  to  the  circumstances  by  which  you 
are  surroimded.  You  have  personal  and  relative 
duties,  which  are  peculiar.  Parental  esteem  and 
obedience  are  obligatory.  How,  you  should  inquire, 
have  I  conducted  towards  my  dear  parents  this  day  ? 


SELF-EXAMlNi 

Have  I  alleviated  any  of  their  ca«s  JJ^^IavdC|i%een 
obedient  and  affectionate  ?  I  ha^^ 
done  my  duty  towards  them,  instructing  tHem,  and 
exhibiting  an  example  which  they  might  with  safety 
follow  ?  I  am  surrounded  by  companions,  some  of 
whom  profess  the  same  hopes  as  myself,  but  others 
are  yet  in  "  the  gall  of  bitterness  and  the  bonds  of 
iniquity ;"  have  I,  so  far  as  opportunity  would  per- 
mit, encouraged  the  former,  and  warned  the  latter  ? 
"What  studies  have  I  pursued,  or  what  books  perused  ? 
"Wliat  benefit  have  I  derived  from^feither?  Have  I 
done  any  thing  this  day  for  the  glory  of  God  ?  These 
are  some  of  the  questions  which  I  should  suppose 
would  occur  to  one  in  your  circumstances. 

If,  upon  such  a  daily  review,  you  find  that  you 
have  advanced  in  holiness  ;  that  you  have  gained  an 
advantage  over  your  spiritual  enemies  ;  that  you  have 
profited  by  the  means  which  a  kind  Providence  has 
given  for  your  improvement,  it  will  afford  matter  for 
praise  and  thanksgiving.  It  will  kindle  up  a  lively 
gratitude  in  your  soul,  and  give  a  zest  to  your  devo- 
tions. If  you  discover  much  to  condemn,  many  sins 
and  failures,  as  you  undoubtedly  will,  it  will  afford 
subject  for  humifiation,  and  prostrate  the  soul  in  pen- 
itential confession  before  God.  Thus,  while  you  ad- 
vance in  the  knowledge  of  your  own  heart,  you  will 
have  all  the  ingredients  of  acceptable  worship.  Your 
prayer  will  be  full  of  praise,  and  full  of  contrition 


118  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

Your  mercies  will  call  forth  the  one,  and  your  trans- 
gressions prompt  the  other.  Prayer  with  you  will 
then  be,  not  a  cold  formality,  but  a  deep  spiritual 
intercourse  with  God  and  your  own  heart. 
fi^  This  nocturnal  ordeal  will  bring  into  view  and 
make  precious  the  merits  and  intercession  of  Jesus, 
your  High-priest  and  Saviour.  A  review,  even  of  a 
single  day^  must,  if  it  be  close  and  careful,  ever  cover 
you  with  confusion  of  face.  The  sins  committed, 
even  in  that  short  period,  will  appear  numerous 
The  soul  would  sink  under  their  heavy  load,  were  it 
not  for  the  encouraging  promise,  ''  If  any  man  sin, 
we  have  an  advocate  with  the  Father,  Jesus  Christ 
the  righteous."  As  sins  appear  numerous  and  ag- 
gravated, Jesus  must  ever  appear  proportionably  pre- 
cious. You  will  cast  yourself  all  guilty  in  his  arms, 
and  find  that  "  though  sin  has  abounded,  grace  doth 
much  more  abound."  After  such  a  review  as  I  have 
recommended,  will  a  new  application  be  made,  and 
a  new  pardon  supplicated  from  the  hand  of  the  Sav- 
iour. He  will  thus  be  brought  constantly  in  view, 
and  made  increasingly  dear  and  delightful. 

You  see,  then,  how  many  and  great  are  the  ad- 
vantages connected  with  frequent  and  close  self-ex- 
amination. Can  you  then  live  without  it  a  single 
day  ?  Are  you  not  resolved  that,  under  all  ordinary 
circumstances,  it  shall  be  entered  upon  and  performed 
with  as  much  punctuality  as  prayer  and  the  reading 


SELF-EXAMINATION.  119 

of  the  word  of  God?  I  am  persuaded,  that  after 
what  has  been  said,  you  will  by  no  means  omit  it. 
[  think  you  must  perceive,  too,  that  the  difficulties, 
though  great,  may,  by  the  plan  which  I  propose,  be 
all  surmounted.  They  arise,  as  I  have  before  ob- 
served, from  neglect.  Bays,  weeks,  and  months  roll 
away,  and  the  soul,  immersed  in  the  busy  cares  of 
life,  contracts  a  defilement,  and  collects  a  rubbish, 
which  a  momentary  and  hurried  examination  may 
render  visible,  but  can  never  remove. 

The  soul  of  the  delinquent  is  neglected — shame- 
fully neglected.  He  deserves  to  have  his  hope  ob- 
scured, his  faith  weakened,  his  doubts  increased.  He 
may  be  left  amid  these  perplexities,  until  he  is  sud- 
denly called  to  a  death-bed,  and  compelled  to  take  a 
direct  look  at  his  case.  It  is  then  a  fearful  scene. 
Clouds  and  darkness  curtain  his  dying  pillow ;  an- 
guish insupportable  heaves  his  dubious  bosom .  There 
is  no  clear  sunshine  upon  his  soul ;  but  he  Hes  on  the 
fluctuating  wave,  uncertain  whether  he  shall  outride 
the  beating  storm. 

Would  you  avoid  such  a  scene  ?  0  yes,  I  know 
you  would.  Then  know  yourself,  ere  it  arrive.  Be 
faithfully  and  intimately  acquainted  mth  your  own 
heart.  Then  shall  your  life  be  happy  and  useful, 
and  your  death  serene,  perhaps  gloriously  trium- 
phant. May  you  live  the  life,  and  die  the  death  of 
the  righteous. 


120  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

LETTER  XX. 

SEASONS    OF    SELF-EXAMINATION. 

As  an  important  auxiliary  means  of  advancing  in 
holiness,  I  would  recommend,  in  addition  to  this 
daily  self-examination,  an  attention  to  the  same 
duty  at  stated  and  peculiar  seasons  ;  such,  for  ex- 
ample, as  the  commencement  ,xif-^-ne3y_jear,  the_ 
recurrence  of  your  birthday,  or  when  ahout  to  enter 
"upon  some  important  change  in  life.  By  perusing 
the  biography  of  those  saints  who  have  been  •  most 
distinguished  for  exalted  piety,  you  will  find  that 
they  never  permitted  such  periods  to  pass  by  unob- 
served or  unimproved. 

There  is  something  in  the  periodical  revolution  of 
the  seasons  which  cannot  fail  to  strike  with  serious- 
ness a  reflecting  mind.  A  single  day  is  of  vast  im- 
portance. When  passed,  it  can  never  be  recalled. 
With  all  its  cares,  its  pleasures,  and  its  pains,  it  has 
sunk  into  eternity.  It  has  gone  to  give  tidings  of 
moral  conduct,  which  will  be  faithfully  recorded 
against  the  great  day  of  account.  Who,  then,  but 
the  most  infatuated,  will  dare  to  murder  its  hours 
amidst  festivity  and  mirth,  when  those  hours  are  so 
fleeting,  and  so  pregnant  w;ith  eternal  results  ?  If  a 
day  is  so  important,  a  week,  a  month,  or  a  yc-ar, 
proportionably  increases  in  value,  and  forms  a  pe- 


SELF-EXAMINATION.  12) 

riod  in  which  much  may  be  done,  either  to  .grieve 
the  Spirit  of  God  and  effect  the  ruin  of  the  soul,  or     . 
to  promote  the  cause  of  our  Redeemer,  and'  secure 
to  ourselves  an  mheritance  in  the  kingdom  of  glory. 

I  trust  you  will,  at  least  annually,  review  your 
diary.  As  one  year  rolls  away,  and  another  suc- 
ceeds, look  back  upon  the  past,  and  forward  to  the 
future.  If  you  have  been  daily  in  the  habit  of  self- 
examination,  this  will  be  not  a  difficult,  but  an  easy 
task,  replete  with  spiritual  benefit.  As  you  retrace 
the  events  of  the  year,  the  blessings  which  you  have 
received  will  inspire  you  with  affectionate  confidence 
and  adoring  gratitude ;  and  the  evils  of  heart  and 
of  life  which  Have  marked  that  period,  will  fill  your 
soul  with  penitential  sorrow ;  and  like  David,  pros- 
trate in  the  dust  of  humiliation,  you  will  be  con- 
strained to  sing  both  of  mercy  and  of  judgment. 

"What  have  I  done,  during  the  past  year,  to  ad-    N 
vance  the  glory  of  my  Hedeemer's  kingdom  ?     Have 
I  done  all  that  my  means  and  circumstances  would 
allow  ?    What  victories  have  I  obtained  over  myself? 
Is  my  easily  besetting  sin  laid  aside,  or  does  it  too 
often  master  my  strongest  resolutions  ?     Have  I  a 
deeper  and  more  intimate  communion  with  Gqdtha.uJ 
when  the  year   commenced  ?     Are   my  desires  for  \ 
holiness  stronger  ?     Have  I  made  any  apparent  ad-    \ 
vances  towards  that  elevation  at  which  I  profess  to    j 
aim  ?     Are  my  devotions  colder  and  more  infrequent  ?   / 


122  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

Do  my  sins  oftener  prevail,  and  is  the  world  gaining 
on  my  esteem  and  my  attention  ? 

These,  my  young  friend,  are  some  of  the  questions 
which  the  observance  of  such  a  season  would  prompt. 
Let  them  be  seriously  met,  and  sincerely  answered. 
Let  a  day,  if  practicable,  be  specially  appropriated 
to  the  duty,  and  let  it  be  accompanied  by  fasting  and 
prayer. 

The  time  would  fail  me  to  enumerate  all  the  ad- 
vantages, and  exhibit  the  full  importance  of  such 
periodical  investigations.  Enter  upon  them  with  dil- 
igence, and  prosecute  them  with  fidelit}^  and  you  will 
find  by  your  own  happy  experience,  that  self-exam- 
ination is  not  only  an  important,  but  a  delightful  duty. 
Your  experience  and  your  careful  observance  of 
the  past,  will  enable  you  to  calculate  for  the  future. 
Against  the  temptations  which  have  proved  most 
successful,  you  can  place  a  double  guard;  ^  The  cir- 
jumstances  in  wliich  you  have  found  yourself  pecu- 
liarly exposed,  you  can  avoid.  The  means  which 
have  proved  most  efficacious  for  your  good,  and  the 
individuals  whose  counsels  have  stimulated  you  to 
duty,  will  be  noted  ;  and  in  future  the  former  will  be 
oftener  resorted  to,  and  the  latter  drawn  into  more 
constant  and  intimate  communion. 
r  Your  birthday  ought  also  to  be  improved.     I  know 

/  that  many  spend  that  day  in  festivity  and'merriment. 

j  They  deem  it  an  occasion  for  mirth  and  hilarity. 


SELF-EXAMINATION.  123 

Herod  made  a  royal  banquet,  and  assembling  all  the 
wealth  and  beauty  of  the  kingdom,  celebrated  his 
birthday  with  music  and  diinclng.  Many,  with  more 
circumscribed  means,  and  on  a  smaller  scale,  imitate 
his  example.  But  is  there  any  thing  in  our  birthday 
to  demand  such  a  parade  of  folly  ?  Is  it  a  matter 
of  mirth  and  rejoicing,  that  another  year  of  our  short 
lives  has  forever  gone  ?  Should  we  celebrate  our 
own  speedy  career  to  God's  judgment-bar  with  music 
and  the  dance  ?  And  especially,  if  the  soul  be  un- 
reconciled to  God,  should  we  chant  a  jubilee  over  its 
approximation  to  hell  ? 

If  any  have  reason  to  rejoice,  it  is  the  Christian 
He  is  one  year  nearer  his  eternal  and  happy  home. 
But  he  views  himself  as  so  deficient,  and  liis  work 
on  earth  as  so  momentous,  that  he  is  far  from  wdsh- 
ing  to  spend  his  birthday  in  festivity.  With  him  it 
should  be  a  day  of  serious  examination  and  humilia 
tion.  It  should  be  consecrated  to  God,  and  the  pros- 
perity of  the  soul. 

I  hope  that  you  will  observe  it  in  this  manner,  and 
then  it  will  be  a  sort  of  spiritual  landmark,  to  which 
you  can  recur  amid  the  tumultuous  sea  of  life ;  and 
when  your  days  are  numbered  on  earth,  you  wiU  be 
found  to  have  spent  them  in  "  wisdom's  ways,  which 
are  ways  of  pleasantness ;"  and  you  will  look  back 
upon  hfe,  though  with  deep  humility,  yet  without 
any  heart-rending  regret. 


124  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN 

LETTER  XXI. 

PREPARATION  FOR  THE  LORD'S 
SUPPER. 

There  are  so  many  excellent  works  on  the  prepa- 
ration of  the  heart  necessary  to  an  acce'ptable  ap- 
'proach  to  the  Lord's  supper^  that  I  shall  do  little 
more  than  to  refer  you  to  them.  The  only  objection 
which  I  have  ever  felt  to  the  use  of  such  treatises  is, 
that  by  their  prolixity,  and  by  the  numerous  items 
which  they  have  recommended,  I  have  been  con- 
fused, and  sometimes  discouraged,  in  the  work  of 
self-examination.  If  some  of  them  were  greatly 
abridged,  and  were  disencumbered  of  a  multitude 
of  particulars,  which  it  is  impossible  to  carry  in  the 
memory,  they  would,  in  my  opinion,  be  far  more  use- 
ful. Still,  my  young  friend,  I  would  habitually  con- 
sult them.  They  are  written,  generally,  by  men  of 
the  deepest  and  most  fervent  piety,  who  have  not 
taken  those  superficial  views  of  church  communion, 
which,  among  many,  are  so  prevalent.  Where  they 
are  derived  directly  from  the  clear  testimony  of 
Scripture,  they  will  save  you  much  trouble  in  col- 
lating the  passages  which  apply  more  immediately 
to  the  subject  in  hand. 

After  all,  the  word  of  God  is  the  only  true  stand- 
ard; and  to  one  who  is  familiar  with  the  sacred 


LORD'S   SUPPER.  J25 

volume,  it  will  not  be  an  irksome  task  to  select  the 
passages  which  he  deems  applicable  to  the  work  of 
self-examination.  For  my  own  part,  I  have  ever 
found  it  attended  with  the  greatest  satisfaction,  to 
go  directly  to  the  fountainhead.  Take  the  Bible  in 
your  hand,  and  pore  over  it  with  an  intention  to  sift 
your  evidences  of  Christian  character.  Accompany 
that  perusal  with  fervent  applications  to  God  for 
light  and  knowledge  ;  and  you  will  experience  a  de- 
gree of  satisfaction  which  no  other  mode  can  afford. 

Esteem  the  sacramental  season  as  one  of  your 
most  precious  privileges.  It  is  then  that  you  are  in- 
vited to  sup  at  the  royal  banquet.  You  have  a  place 
at  the  King's  table,  and  it  becomes  you  to  array  the 
soul  in  the  beauties  of  holiness.  Were  you  invited 
to  the  table  of  some  earthly  monarch,  how  eagerly 
would  you  anticipate  the  honor,  and  what  solicitude 
would  you  feel,  that  your  apparel  might  be  appro- 
priate, and  your  conduct  correct.  But  what  is  this 
honor,  compared  with  that  of  sitting  at  the  table  of 
your  Lord  ?  See,  then,  that  you  are  adorned  with 
the  wedding-garment.  Anticipate  an  audience  with 
your  King,  and  rush  not  into  his  presence  with  the 
carelessness  of  one  who  goes  only  to  an  ordinar}^  meal. 

I  would  not  array  that  sacred  table  with  terrors 
to  your  mind.  I  am  convinced  that  many  throw 
iround  the  hallowed  elements  a  dread  solemnity, 
which  makes  the  timid  and  faltering  believer  feel, 


126  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

that  if  he,  if  one  so  vile  as  he  should  touch  them,  h*5 
would  eat  and  drink  damnation  to  himself,  and  seal 
for  ever  his  hopelessness  and  his  ruin.  It  was  nevei 
the  intention  of  our  Lord  to  hold  up  such  fearful 
views  of  this  feast  of  love.  There  is  every  tiling 
about  it  that  is  inviting.  It  is  a  most  pathetic  ap 
peal  to  the  fearful  and  troubled  soul.  It  woos  in 
silent,  but  eloquent  terms,  the  weary  and  heavy 
laden  to  come  and  find  rest.  It  is  not  Sinai,  but 
Calvary.  It  is  not  the  smoke,  or  the  lightning,  or 
the  thunder — no,  weak  and  mourning  believer,  it  is 
the  uplifted  cross,  and  the  expiring  victim,  whose 
blood  speaks  peace  from  every  vein.  Look  on  those 
significant,  simple  memorials — ^is  there  any  terror  in 
this  scene  ?  Is  it  not  all  peace,  and  love,  and  mercy 
to  the  penitent  ? 

The  ordinance  of  the  supper  is  a  memorial  of  the 
love  and  compassion  of  Christ,  a  lively  emblem  of 
his  sufferings  for  sin.  It  is  a  public  acknowledgment 
of  our  attachment  to  his  cause.  Having  seriously 
and  sincerely  examined  ourselves,  and  finding  that 
we  can  humbly  claim  the  characteristics  of  the  true 
disciple,  we  may  come  to  this  feast  of  love,  and 
commune  with  our  Lord,  and  with  one  another,  in  a 
composed  and  humble  frame  of  mind.  If  our  great- 
est burden  is  sin,  and  our  only  ground  of  confidence 
is  the  Saviour,  we  have  nothing  to  fear,  but  every 
thing  to  hope  from  this  dehghtful  and  affecting  ordi- 


LORD'S    SUPPER.  12? 

nance.  Much  of  the  profit  of  partaking  of  this  ordi- 
nance, you  will  recollect,  depends  on  your  fidelity  in 
the  work  of  self-examination.  If  that  be  neglected, 
you  have  no  reason  to  look  for  a  blessing.  If  it  be 
performed  in  a  hurried  and  superficial  manner,  you 
need  not  expect  much  enjoyment  in  the  orduiance. 
.  God  will  be  glorified  in  them  that  make  so  near  an 
approach  to  the  mercy-seat. 

When  you  approach  the  table,  I  would  recommend 
it  to  you  to  simphfy  your  views  as  much  as  possible. 
By  endeavoring  to  thinlc  of  many  things,  the  mind 
becomes  confused.  Having  lifted  your  soul  to  God 
for  light  and  feeUng,  look  on  the  elements,  and  en- 
deavor to  view  them  as  the  appropriate  memorials 
of  your  bleeding  Lord.  What  do  you  see  in  that 
broken  bread  ?  Is  it  not  the  emblem  of  the  mangled 
body  of  the  Lamb  of  God  ?  What  meaneth  that 
flowing  wine  ?  Is  it  not  the  emblem  of  his  blood, 
which  was  shed  for  the  remission  of  sins  ?  And 
wherefore  was  that  body  broken,  and  that  blood 
poured  forth  ?  0,  my  soul,  let  thy  guilt  and  trans- 
gressions answer.  Without  the  shedding  of  that- 
blood,  there  had  been  no  remission.  What,  then, 
can  I  render  to  my  Lord,  for  all  tliis  dying  love  ?  I 
am  speechless  in  gratitude.  Here,  blessed  Saviour, 
I  give  thee  all  I  have — this  broken,  contrite  heart. 
Take  it,  0  take  it  as  thine  own,  wash  it  in  thy 
blood,  and  seal  it  for  thyself. 


128  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN 

LETTER   XXII. 
THE    SCRIPTURES. 

On  the  subject  of  prayer  and  habitual  self-exanii- 
iation,  I  shall  add  no  more.  You  recollect  that  1 
connected  with  these,  as  of  equal  importance,  a  close 
and  diligent  perusal  of  the  ScRrPTUHES.  I  shall 
therefore  occupy  your  attention,  for  a  short  time,  on 
this  last-mentioned  topic. 

The  importance  of  making  the  word  of  God  a  de- 
votional study,  is  evident  both  from  the  testimony  of 
that  word,  and  the  experience  of  all  eminent  saints 
who  have  ever  lived.  The  more  I  study  the  sacred 
volume,  the  more  deeply  am  I  impressed  with  its 
intrinsic  grandeur,  and  its  high  importance  to  me  as 
an  accountable  creature.  Were  I  banished  to  a  more 
lonely  rock  than  that  inhabited  by  the  Corsican  exile, 
with  my  Bible  I  should  never  want  food  for  the  soul, 
nor  a  stimulant  to  the  understanding.  I  am  aston 
ished  that  men  of  literature,  of  mere  worldly  wisdom, 
do  not  more  frequently  drink  at  this  celestial  foun- 
tain. Were  they  once  to  sip  at  this  clear,  pure 
Btream,  they  could  not  but  rehsh  it.  The  desire  to 
drink,  and  the  relish,  however,  the  Spirit  alone  can 
give. 

It  has  charms,  as  a  mere  literary  production,  which 


THE    SCRIPTURES.  129 

the  veriest  infidels  have  been  constrained  to  acknow- 
ledge. Prejudice,  not  long  since,  had  shut  out  these 
heavenly  stores  from  many  highly  cultivated  minds. 
The  Bible  was  so  common  a  book,  and  was  so  fre- 
quently found  in  the  hands  of  the  poor  and  the  illit^ 
erate,  that  those  who  claimed  to  be  learned  and 
philosophic,  took  the  liberty  to  despise  it,  and  thus 
excluded  themselves  from  the  noblest  source  of  men- 
tal and  moral  refinement.  A  young  man  of  irrelig- 
ious character,  who  was  a  member  of  a  respectable 
college,  on  hearing  one  of  the  professors  allude  to  the 
beautiful  comparison  of  our  Sa\dour,  when  enjoining 
confidence  in  the  providence  of  God,  "  Consider  the 
lilies  of  the  field,  how  they  grow :  they  toil  not, 
neither  do  they  spin;  and  yet  I  say  unto  you,  that 
even  Solomon,  in  all  his  glory,  was  not  arrayed  like 
one  of  these,"  turned  to  a  fellow-student,  and  in- 
quired where  that  striking  and  elegant  language  was 
found.  On  learning  that  it  was  found  in  the  Bible, 
he  was  astonished.  Have  you  never  read  your  Bible  ? 
was  the  inquiry  of  his  companion.  * '  My  Shakspeare, ' ' 
said  he,  "is  all  the  Bible  I  ever  read."  Th.'?,  1  ac- 
knowledge, is  an  extreme  case,  but  there  are  many 
analogous  to  it. 

Dr.  Franklin,  it  is  said,  was  once  in  the  company 
of  several  ladies  of  the  English  nobihty,  when  the 
conversation  turned  on  pastoral  poetry,  in  which  the 
ladies  took  a  conspicuous  part.     After  hearing  theii 


130  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

criticisms  on  various  authors,  he  proposed  to  read  the 
translation  of  a  pastoral,  for  their  amusement.  He 
read,  with  a  few  verbal  alterations,  the  book  of  Ruth. 
They  were  enraptured  with  the  pastoral,  and  pro- 
nounced it  the  finest  they  had  ever  seen  in  any  Ian- 
^age.  The  doctor  then  gravely  told  them  that  he 
had  read  it  from  the  Bible.  "Whether  these  ladies 
were  professed  infidels,  or  had  considered  the  Scrip- 
tures beneath  their  notice,  I  am  unable  to  say.  I 
cannot  even  vouch  for  the  truth  of  the  anecdote.  I 
am  persuaded,  however,  that  an  occurrence  of  that 
nature  might  have  happened  daily,  at  a  time  when 
infidelity  was  in  vogue,  and  the  Bible  ridiculed  and 
despised.  Even  in  our  day,  how  little  attention  do 
the  sacred  oracles  command. 

"While  the  shelf  groans  with  elegant  literature,  and 
the  mind  revels  amid  the  flowery  fields  of  Johnson, 
Addison,  and  Shakspeare,  or  the  later  and  more  fas- 
cinating groves  of  Sir  Walter  Scott — the  sublimities 
of  the  pentateuch  and  the  prophecies ;  the  tender, 
touching,  simple  narrations  of  Christ ;  the  sublime 
devouorial  strams  of  "  Israel's  king  ;"  the  wisdom  of 
the  wisest  man  who  ever  lived  ;  are  regarded  as  dry 
and  uninteresting.  I  cannot  allow  that  man  or  wo- 
man to  possess  even  a  cultivated  or  discriminating 
taste,  who  thus  judges.  I  have  read  Homer  and 
Milton  ;  but  when  I  compare  their  poetry  to  the  lofly 
strains  of  David,  Habakkuk,  and  Isaiah,  it  is  the 


THE  scRirruRKa  131 

flickering  light  of  a  taper  to  the  conaiicatioiis  of  a 
thunder-cloud,  pr  to  the  full-orbed  splendors  of  a 
noonday  sun.  I  have  read  the  pathetic  story  ol 
Sterne  on  the  incarcerated  criminal,  and  the  melting 
appeal  which  Sir  Walter  puts  into  the  mouth  of  a 
favorite  heroine,  when  pleading  in  the  royal  presence 
for  the  life  of  her  sister ;  but  they  are  tame  when 
compared  with  the  struggling  emotions  of  a  Joseph, 
and  the  short  but  heart-rending  plea  of  his  brother 
Judah. 

But  this  comparison  might  be  extended  to  the 
various  departments  of  Bible  literature.  Its  moral 
precepts,  how  concise,  and  yet  how  comprehensive. 
Its  narrations  seize  on  the  most  prominent  and  strik- 
ing circumstances,  without  including  any  extraneous 
or  unnecessary  matter  ;  and  throughout,  from  Gene- 
sis to  Revelation,  there  is  an  unearthly  something 
which  stamps  it  as  intelligence  from  the  skies.  Its 
analysis  of  character  is  wonderful.  There  is  no  other 
book  on  earth  in  which  there  is  so  accurate,  and  full, 
and  clear  an  exhibition  of  human  nature. 

But  why  am  I  lauding  the  Bible  as  a  hterary  com- 
position, to  one  who  views  this  as  its  least  attractive 
feature  ?  Why  have  I  digressed  from  the  great  point 
of  urgmg  to  an  elevated  standard  of  piety  ?  Let  us 
return,  and  view  it  as  the  great  means  of  sanctifica- 
tion.  "  Sanctify  them  through  thy  truth,"  said  our 
blessed  Lord  ;  '^  thy  word  is  truth."    This  is  the  charm 


132  £GUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

wliicli  so  mucli  attracts  the  pious  heart.  That  heart 
is  not  insensible  to  the  elegance  of  scriptural  style, 
nor  indifTerent  to  its  bold  and  beautiful  imagery  ;  but 
these  are  not  the  principal  attractions.  It  is  the 
word  of  God.  It  convinces  of  sin.  It  stimulates  to 
duty.  It  rouses  from  sluggishness.  It  warns  against 
danger.  It  unfolds  the  character  of  God.  It  reveals 
the  way  of  salvation.  It  delineates  the  providence 
of  God.  It  presents  the  Lamb  of  God  slain  for  our 
transgressions.  It  communicates  sweet  strains  of 
spiritual  devotion.  It  brings  into  view  a  bright  and 
eternal  reward.  It  discloses  the  wounds  of  our  na- 
ture, and  offers  the  healing  balm.  In  short,  it  em- 
bodies all  that  a  Christian  in  this  pilgrimage  can 
need.  It  is  his  only  chart  through  this  tempestuous 
Hfe.  In  trouble,  it  is  his  consolation  ;  in  prosperity, 
his  monitor  ;  in  difficulty,  his  guide.  Amid  the  dark- 
ness of  death,  and  while  descending  into  the  shadowy 
valley,  it  is  the  day-star  that  illuminates  his  path, 
makes  his  dying  eye  bright  with  hope,  and  cheers  his 
soul  with  the  prospect  of  immortal  glory. 

Is  this  the  book  that  vain  and  foolish  minds  under- 
value and  despise  ?  From  their  folly,  my  young 
friend,  learn  thou  a  lesson  of  wisdom.  Let  your  Ian- 
^age  be, 

"  May  this  blest  volume  ever  lie 
Close  to  my  heart,  and  near  mine  eye-: 
Till  life's  last  hour  my  soul  engage, 
And  be  my  chosen  heritage." 


THE    SCRIPTURES.  13P 

LETTER  XXIII. 

THE   SCRIPTURES— CONTINUED. 

1  WISH  you  never  to  forget  that  the  attainment  of 
an  elevated  standard  of  piety  is  intimately  connected 
with  an  assiduous  and  diligent  perusal  of  the  Scrip- 
tures. It  is  customary  to  recommend  to  the  young 
Christian  various  authors  on  practical  piety.  Such  au- 
thors I  cordially  unite  in  recommending ;  but  I  fear  that 
the  youthful  Christian,  by  too  great  an  attention  to 
desultoi'y  reading,  has  sometimes  given  less  attention 
to  the  Bible  than  its  paramount  importance  demands. 

Christians,  in  recommending  such  books,  have  taken 
it  for  granted  that  the  Bible  is  diligently  and  closely 
studied  ;  but  they  have  taken  too  much  for  granted. 
A  taste  for  religious  novelties  has  been  excited,  and 
the  precious  word  has  at  length  become  compara- 
tively uninteresting.  If  any  book  of  mere  human 
composition,  be  it  ever  so  instructive,  is  to  command 
more  of  our  interest  and  attention  than  the  Bible,  we 
should,  like  Martyn,  throw  it  aside,  and  reperuse  the 
sacred  volume,  until  we  give  it,  in  our  hearts,  its 
legitimate  prominence  and  superiority. 

When  young  Christians  become  devoted  to  thig 
religious  literature,  the  Bible  is  very  apt  to  be  neg- 
lected. They  acquire  a  flippancy  in  discussing  the 
superficial  parts  of  Christianity ;  but  I  insist  upon  it, 


134  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

that  they  do  not,  by  such  readmg,  form  a  sound,  con- 
sistent, and  deeply  spiritual  character.  Far  be  it  from 
me  to  undervalue  such  readmg.  But  I  Tvdsh  to  impress 
upon  your  mind  the  superiority  of  God's  word.  Other 
books  of  a  religious  character  should  be  considered  as 
subordinate  to  the  Bible.  "When  they  throw  light 
upon  the  sacred  volume  ;  when  they  drive  you  back 
to  this  great  fountain  of  truth  ;  when  they  quicken 
your  diligence  in  studying  it,  and  serve  rather  as  hand- 
maids than  as  rivals,  they  may  be  perused  with  pro- 
priety and  with  profit.  But  if  you  find  that  they  draw 
away  your  interest  from  the  word  of  God,  and  excite  a  ' 
taste  for  novelties,  you  must  suspect  them  as  rivals, 
and  immediately  give  again  your  highest  afiections 
to  that  precious  book  to  which  they  legitimately  belong. 
This  caution  is  the  more  needful,  because  the  press 
at  the  present  day  teems  with  periodicals  and  works 
of  fiction,  which,  bearing  a  slightly  religious  aspect, 
are  considered  as  good  substitutes  for  similar  but  irre- 
ligious books,  and  are  therefore  recommended  to  those 
whose  consciences  might  revolt  at  the  latter  cast  of 
productions.  This  furnishes  a  strong  temptation  to 
yoimg  Christians.  I  warn  them  against  it.  I  would 
not  circumscribe  their  reading  entirely  to  the  word 
of  God.  I  would  be  far  from  proscribing  any  merely 
hmocent  or  instructive  book.  Let  them  drink  at  the 
waters  of  Helicon  and  Parnassus.  Let  them  be 
acquainted  with  poetry,  history,  and  the  various  ex- 


TIIK    SCRIPTURES.  135 

cellent  works  of  taste ;  but  I  would  guard  against 
making  this  reading  paramount  to  the  Bible.  I  be- 
lieve there  never  can  be  an  exalted  Christian  char- 
acter, where  the  Bible  is  not  made  the  first,  and  the ' 
best,  and  the  most  interesting  of  books.  That  person 
who  cannot  lay  aside  any  volume,  however  interest- 
ing, for  the  Bible,  and  who  cannot  find  in  the  latter 
a  greater  relish  than  in  the  former,  has  never  attained 
to  an  elevated  standard  of  piety. 

It  has  been  said,  that  every  thing  in  a  minister's 
studies  should  have  a  reference  to  the  word  of  God. 
Through  whatever  fields  of  science  or  of  literature 
he  may  rove,  he  should  come  back  with  superior 
relish  to  the  Bible.  The  same  advice  should  be 
given  to  the  young  Christian.  In  the  varied  regions 
of  philosophy  and  taste  he  is  permitted  to  rove,  but 
the  Bible  should  be  his  richest  banquet.  Make  it  a 
rule  always  to  prefer  it.  If  at  the  hours  of  devotion 
you  are  strongly  drawn  towards  some  new  and  inter- 
esting religious  publication ;  if  you  are  tempted  to 
omit  for  tliis  the  regular  study  of  the  Scriptures, 
regard  it  as  a  temptation,  and  resist  it  accordingly. 
^Tou  recollect  the  resolution  of  the  pious  Martyn,  to 
which  I  have  alluded.  He  never  would  allow  him- 
self to  peruse  a  book  one  moment  after  he  felt  i1^  gain- 
ing a  preference  to  his  Bible.  As  long  as  he  could 
turn  to  his  Bible  with  a  superior  relish,  so  long  he 
would  continue  reading,  and  no  longer.     Go  thou  and 


136  YOUNG    ClfRISTIAN^. 

do  likewise.  If  you  commence  witli  this  resolution, 
you  will  find  the  advantages  of  it  in  your  daily  expe- 
rience. The  word  of  God  will  grow  constantly  in 
your  estimation,  and  you  will  be  ready  to  exclaim 
with  David,  "  0  how  I  love  thy  law ;  it  is  sweeter 
to  my  taste  than  honey  and  the  honey-comb." 

My  own  experience  convinces  me,  that  the  oftener 
and  the  more  diligently  you  peruse  the  Scriptures,  the 
more  beautiful  will  they  appear,  and  the  less  rehsh 
will  you  have  for  light  and  superficial  reading.  There 
is,  in  an  intimate  acquaintance,  in  a  daily  conversa- 
tion with  the  Scriptures,  something  sanctifying,  some- 
thing ennobling.  A  satisfaction  is  felt  in  perusing  them, 
which  no  human  composition  can  excite.  You  feel  as 
if  you  were  conversing  with  God  and  angels.  You 
breathe  a  heavenly  atmosphere.  The  soul  is  bathed 
in  celestial  waters.  It  imbibes  a  sweetness  and  a 
composure  which  shed  over  it  unearthly  attractions. 

To  this  fountain  of  Hght  and  life  let  us  then  daily  re- 
sort. Here  is  the  healing  influence.  Here  is  the  pool  ol 
Bethesda.  Here  abounds  consolation  for  the  afflicted. 
Here  hope  dwells  to  cheer  and  to  guide.  "  Bmd  this 
precious  volume  about  your  neck  ;  write  it  on  the  tab- 
lets of  your  heart."  It  will  prove  your  sliield  in  con- 
flict, your  guide  in  perplexity,  your  solace  in  adversity. 
When  '*  death  shall  be  swallowed  up  in  victor)","  if  it 
have  been  faitlifully  studied  in  this  hfe,  it  will  afford 
themes  for  heavenly  contemplation  through  eternity. 


THE    SCRIPTURES.  137 

LETTER   XXIV.^ 

STUDY    OF    THE    SCRIPTURES. 

It  is  a  common  practice  with  young  Christians  to 
confine  their  attention  to  certain  parts  of  the  Scrip- 
tures, to  the  ahnost  entire  neglect  of  the  rest.  They 
select,  generally,  the  devotional  and  preceptive  por- 
tions, such  as  the  evangelists,  the  Psalms,  and  some 
of  the  epistles.  This  circumstance,  while  it  favor? 
the  evidence  of  their  being  Christians,  is  also  best 
calculated,  perhaps,  to  advance  their  growth  in  grace. 
In  this  early  stage  of  their  progress,  they  cannot  be 
expected  to  take  a  comprehensive  view  of  scriptural 
truth,  and  exhibit  a  maturity  of  knowledge  on  doc 
trinal  theology.  But  there  is  danger  that  this  prac- 
tice will  be  too  long  continued.  If  so,  they  will  evei 
be  children.  They  cannot  grow  in  knowledge.  They 
will  be  feeding  on  milk  when  they  ought  to  receive 
the  more  substantial  ahment. 

Permit  me,  therefore,  my  young  friend,  to  caution 
you  against  undervaluing  any  part  of  the  inspired 
volume.  While  I  would  rejoice  in  the  fact  of  youi 
having  at  first  preferred  those  scriptures  which  are 
more  particularly  devotional,  I  must  exhort  you  to 
go  on  to  perfection.  "  All  Scripture  is  given  by  in- 
spiration of  God,"  and  all  is,  therefore,  profitable  fox 


138  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

the  attainment  of  that  perfect  standard  at  which 
you  aim. 

In  these  r(?marks  I  speak  from  personal  experience. 
My  attention,  for  a  long  time,  was  confined  almost 
exclusively  to  the  Psalms,  the  evangelists,  and  a  few 
of  the  plainest  of  the  epistles.  These  I  perused  and 
reperused,  until  much  of  them  was  committed  to 
memory,  and  all  were  very  familiar.  I  do  not,  nor 
shall  I  ever  regret  this.  But  my  mistake  was,  in 
supposing  that  the  historical  and  prophetical,  and 
some  of  the  doctrinal  parts  of  the  Bible,  were  inap- 
plicable to  my  circumstances,  and  therefore  had  little 
claim  on  my  attention.  I  fear  that  others  have  fallen 
into  this  mistake.  I  have  since  learned  that  those 
very  scriptures,  to  which  I  confined  my  attention, 
were  greatly  elucidated  and  beautifully  explained  by 
other  parts  of  the  Bible,  which  I  had  thought  too 
deep  and  too  inapplicable  for  my  reading. 

The  word  of  God  is  one  magnificent  whole.  There 
is  a  symmetry  in  all  its  proportions,  and  a  harmo- 
nious admeasurement  in  all  its  parts.  It  is  like  a 
beautiful  edifice,  constructed  on  the  finest  principles 
of  architecture.  The  young  Christian  may  be  com- 
pared, to  a  superficial  observer,  who  is  enraptured 
with  a  glance  of  the  finely  turned  arches,  and  the 
highly  finished  columns  of  this  temple.  He  dwells 
upon  these  as  the  principal  attractions.  The  more 
advanced  saint  has  not  only  entered  the  vestibule, 


THE   SCRIPTURES.  139 

but  has  also  penetrated  the  interior  court.  He  has 
examined  carefully  the  foundation,  and  admired  its 
adamantine  structure.  He  has  surveyed  its  halls 
and  its  galleries,  and  has  been  struck  with  the  beauty 
of  their  proportions.  He  has  threaded  every  laby- 
rinth, and  ascertained  its  direction  and  its  utility. 
He  has  found  no  part  defective  ;  no  portion  super- 
fluous. As  his  mind  sweeps  in  the  noble  pile  at  one 
glance,  he  exclaims.  How  magnificent,  how  grand, 
how  worthy  of  the  architect ! 

While,  therefore,  my  young  friend,  I  would  en- 
courage you  in  perusing  closely  those  parts  of  the 
Bible  which  appear  most  adapted  to  your  character 
and  circumstances,  I  would  at  the  same  time  caution 
you  not  to  neglect  other  important  parts  of  sacred 
Scripture.  As  I  before  observed,  by  reading  the 
Bible  as  a  whole,  you  will  perceive  much  more 
clearly  the  beauty  of  your  favorite  passages.  The 
true  method  of  interpreting  Scripture  is  by  compar- 
ing one  part  with  another.  Had  I  received  and  at- 
tended to  this  hint,  my  knowledge  of  scriptural  truth 
would,  I  am  persuaded,  have  been  much  more  ex- 
tensive than  it  is  at  present.  I  have  learned  from 
happy,  though  late  experience,  that  the  historical 
books  of  the  Old  Testament  not  only  throw  light 
on  all  the  subsequent  inspired  writings,  but  are  re- 
plete with  most  exalted,  and  devotional,  and  soul- 
transporting  sentiments.     Since  I  began  to  study  the 


140  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

Scriptures  in  course,  I  have  lingered  on  the  penta 
teuch  as  on  enchanted  ground.  The  tyipes  and 
shadows  have  been  full  of  meaning.  In  all  of  them, 
Christ  and  him  crucified  appears  conspicuous. 

I  am  convinced  of  the  utility  of  studying  the  Bible 
in  course  ;  and  I  can  assure  you,  that  my  former 
desultory  practice,  of  opening  and  reading  where  the 
eye  chanced  to  fall,  was  far  from  affording  equal 
satisfaction.  I  note  for  your  benefit  the  circumstances 
which  prevented  my  improvement  in  the  knowledge 
of  God's  word,  and  I  hope  that  you  will  carefully 
avoid  them.  You  will  find  a  soUd  satisfaction  in 
studying  the  Scriptures  according  to  the  mode  I  rec- 
ommend. Consider  it  as  the  labor  of  life ;  for  be 
assured,  that  should  you  live  to  the  age  of  fourscore 
years,  you  will  not  have  attained  perfection  in  this 
study.  But  why  should  I  call  it  a  labor,  when  it  is 
so  delightful  a  privilege  ?  It  is  indeed  a  labor  to 
that  being  who  loves  not  the  character,  and  who 
yields  not  obedience  to  the  law  of  God.  But  is  it  a 
labor  to  that  mind  which  is  attuned,  by  the  Spirit's 
influence,  to  the  beauties  of  celestial  truth  ?  Will 
not  the  soul  expand  under  the  developments  of  God, 
and  of  heavenly  things  ? 

As  we  learn  more  and  more  of  the  wisdom,  the 
goodness,  and  the  mercy  of  God,  we  shall  the  more 
ardently  desire  a  conformity  to  these  divine  attri- 
butes.    It  is  thus  we  shall  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the. 


THE    SCRIPTURES.  141 

knowledge  of  God,  and  of  our  Saviour.  In  the  visible 
creation,  every  thing  is  full  of  glory.  Every  thing 
speaks  of  the  wisdom  and  tKe  power  of  God,  and  invites 
the  soul  to  ascend  to  its  all-glorious  Creator.  But  in 
the  written  word,  we  have  God  speaking  to  us  with- 
out a  medium,  and  speaking  to  us  as  to  his  children. 
Go,  then,  my  young  friend,  and  dihgently  listen 
to  the  holy  oracles.  Search  the  Scriptures.  Peruse 
them  systematically.  Make  them  your  daily  and 
nightly  companions.  And  may  their  celestial  influ- 
ence be  so  infused  into  your  soul,  that  you  shall  pro- 
gressively lose  the  image  of  the  earthly,  and  assume 
the  image  of  the  heavenly  inhabitants. 


142  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

LETTER  XXV. 

STUDY    OF    THE    SCRIPTURES. 

You  recollect,  my  young  friend,  that  when  speak 
aig  on  the  subject  of  prayer,  I  warned  you  against 
a  hurried  and  superficial  manner.  I  would  repeat 
the  same  caution  in  respect  to  reading  the  word  of 
God.  There  is  a  careless,  superficial  attention  to  the 
Bible,  which  is  neither  acceptable  to  God,  nor  profit- 
able to  the  soul. 

We  should  ever  approach  that  sacred  book  with 
reverence.  Though  written  by  men,  remember  that 
those  men  **  spake  as  they  were  moved  by  the  Holy 
Spirit."  The  medium  through  which  it  was  com- 
municated, detracts  not  from  the  divinity  of  the  mat- 
ter. When  we  open  the  sacred  volume,  we  listen  to 
the  voice  of  God.  It  is  the  same  voice,  though  un- 
accompanied by  those  terrific  circumstances,  which 
issued  from  that  awful  cloud  which  curtained  the 
summit  of  Sinai.  It  is  the  same  voice  that  was 
heard  in  such  piteous  lamentations  from  Calvary, 
when  our  Immanuel  trode  for  us  the  wine-press  of  the 
wrath  of  God.  Should  we  not,  therefore,  give  a 
reverential  attention  when  Jehovah  speaks  ?  Should 
not  our  posture  be  that  of  the  deepest  humility  and 


THE    SCRIPTURES.  143 

When  you  take  the  Scriptures  in  hand,  it  is  weU 
to  let  such  a  reflection  pass  your  mind.  It  is  profit 
able  to  pause  a  moment,  and  say  within  yourself, 
What  a  privilege  do  I  enjoy  in  the  perusal  of  this 
sacred  page.  Millions  of  my  fellow-beings  are  shut 
out  from  it.  They  have  nothing  but  the  dim  and 
flickering  light  of  nature.  They  are,  therefore,  de- 
graded and  besotted  by  ignorance  and  sensuality. 
Whereas  I  am  favored  with  the  clear  light  of  reve- 
lation. I  hold  in  my  hand  the  mind  and  will  of  God 
concerning  me.  Are  not  my  obligsitions,  therefore, 
proportionably  great  ?  What  account  can  I  give  at 
the  judgment-day,  if  I  neglect  or  undervalue  tliis 
precious  volume  ?  '*  0  Lord,  open  thou  mine  eyes, 
that  I  may  behold  wondrous  things  out  of  thy  law." 
Unstop  mine  ear,  that  I  may  listen,  and  dispose  my 
heart  to  receive  and  obey.  Spirit  of  light,  Inspirer 
of  this  heavenly  book,  be  present  to  dissipate  my 
darkness,  and  shed  over  my  soul  the  beams  of  celes- 
tial glory.  Let  me  not  fall  under  the  condemnation 
of  that  wicked  servant,  who  knew  his  master's  will, 
but  refused  to  perform  it ;  but  having,  by  thy  illu- 
minating influence,  a  perfect  understanding  of  the 
word,  may  I,  through  thy  sanctifying  grace,  be 
moulded  by  it  into  the  likeness  and  image  of  God. 

I  take  it  for  granted,  that  the  study  of  the  Bible  is 
to  form  a  part  of  your  daily  devotions  ;  and  it  is  upon 
such  a  supposition  that  I  make  these  remarks.     Be- 


144  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN 

ware,  I  entreat  you,  of  the  habit  of  glancing  over 
different  parts  of  the  Bible,  instead  of  perusing  it  in 
course,  and  with  close  and  diligent  attention.  The 
latter  mode,  accompanied  with  the  blessing  of  God, 
will  form  an  elevated  Christian  character.  The  for- 
mer is  characteristic  of  the  worldly-minded  and  su- 
perficial professor.  Depend  upon  it,  the  closer  atten- 
tion you  give  to  the  word,  the  more  precious  and 
interesting  will  it  become,  and  the  more  rapidly  will 
you  grow  in  knowledge  and  holiness.  The  pious 
David  declared  that  his  love  for  the  word  of  God  was 
so  ardent,  that  it  was  his  meditation  day  and  night. 
I  meditate,  says  he,  on  all  thy  precepts.  I  muse  on 
the  work  of  thy  hands.  It  is  this  meditative  spirit 
which  I  would  recommend,  when  you  are  perusing 
the  Scriptures. 

The  celebrated  Dr.  Scott,  as  we  learn  from  his 
memoirs,  was  in  the  habit  of  reading  the  Bible  on 
his  knees.  "Whenever  a  difficult  part  of  divine  truth 
came  under  consideration,  he  would  lift  his  soul  to 
God  for  the  illuminating  influence  of  the  Spirit.  It 
was  by  prayer  over  the  word  of  God,  that  this  emi- 
nent saint  formed  a  character  that  will  stand  as  a 
blight  example  to  all  succeeding  Christians.  It  was 
m  this  way,  also,  that  he  arrived  at  such  a  profound 
knowledge  of  the  Scriptures,  and  was  enabled  to 
write  his  celebrated  commentary.  As  you  will  need 
some  helps  in  studying  the  Bible,  permit  me,  without 


THE    SClTlPTURES.  145 

claiming  that  any  human  author  is  free  from  error, 
to  recommend  this  invaluable  work  as  among  the 
best  commentaries  extant. 

I  cannot  do  this  better,  than  by  copying  a  brief 
notice  firom  the  pen  of  a  clerical  friend.  **  I  have 
never  met  with  a  commentator  so  admirably  adapted 
to  ordinary  use  as  Dr.  Scott.  As  an  interpreter,  he 
is  clear,  sober,  and  judicious.  He  never  so  dwells 
upon  one  doctrine  as  to  keep  others  out  of  view — the 
grand  defect  of  many  expositors — ^but  gives  to  each 
truth  that  proportion  of  notice  which  its  relative  im 
portance  seems  to  demand.  The  great  doctrine  of 
justification  by  faith  alone,  the  very  hinge  on  which 
the  whole  Grospel  turns,  and  its  all-pervading  prin- 
ciple. Dr.  Scott  very  clearly  and  fully  unfolds,  where 
it  is  specially  treated  of  in  holy  writ.  He  never  loses 
sight  of  it  upon  any  occasion,  and  uniformly  so  han- 
dles it,  as  to  beat  down  the  pride  of  the  pharisee  on 
the  one  hand,  and  expose  the  rottenness  of  the  anti- 
nomian  on  the  other.  But  his  commentary  is  not 
simply  doctrinal ;  he  shows  all  the  varied  bearings 
of  the  truth  upon  the  inner  and  the  outer  man.  In 
a  word,  he  is  highly  experimental  and  practical 
throughout.  And  for  this  part  of  his  work,  he  ap- 
pears peculiarly  competent.  Never,  perhaps,  were 
displayed  in  any  uninspired  composition,  such  a  deep 
insight  into  the  natural  workings  of  the  human  heart, 
and  so  accurate  a  knowledge  of  the  exercises  of  a 


146  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

mind  renewed  by  divine  grace,  combined  with  such 
an  enlarged,  and  at  the  same  time  minute  acquaint- 
ance with  human  Hfe,  under  every  variety  of  cir- 
cumstance. To  write  this  work,  demanded  such 
observation  of  the  world,  united  to  such  studious  hab- 
its, as  could  very  rarely  indeed  be  found  in  the  same 
individual.  And  the  Lord  seems  to  have  led  this 
wonderful  man  through  just  the  path  that  would 
qualify  him  to  compose  such  a  book." 

I  can  add  my  testimony  to  the  above.  Although 
I  had  frequently  heard  Dr.  Scott  undervalued,  as  not 
sufficiently  critical,  I  am  now  convinced  that  he  has 
been  wise  in  not  encumbering  his  work  with  useless 
criticism,  which,  while  it  might  have  pleased  the 
few,  would  have  been  a  great  disadvantage  to  the 
many.  It  will  be  found,  I  believe,  that  his  opinion 
on  all  the  great  practical  truths  and  doctrines  of  the 
Bible,  is  the  correct  one.  I  must  conclude,  therefore, 
by  advising  you  to  commence  his  work  with  a  deter- 
mination, by  the  blessing  of  God,  to  finish  it.  Pro- 
spectively, it  may  appear  a  herculean  task ;  but  be 
assured,  it  is  not.  As  you  advance,  you  will  find 
3ach  Bucceeding  page  more  and  more  delightful. 


THE    SCRIPTURES.  147 

LETTER  XXVI. 

STUDY   OF   THE   SCRIPTURES. 

I  HOPE,  my  young  friend,  that  you  will  acquire  a 
thorough  acquaintance  with  the  historical  scriptures. 
They  are  intimately  connected  with  the  prophetical 
the  doctrinal,  and  the  preceptive  parts  of  the  Bible. 
I  have  at  times  been  made  to  blush  for  my  ignorance 
of  some  fact  which  has  been  alluded  to  as  a  part  of 
Bible  history,  and  especially  as  quoted  by  the  New 
Testament  writers  ;  not  because  I  neglected  the  Bi 
ble,  but  because  I  confined  my  reading  to  a  very 
hmited  portion  of  it. 

It  is  impossible  to  understand  the  prophecies,  without 
a  knowledge  of  the  sacred  history.  It  is  equally  impos 
sible,  without  this  knowledge,  to  comprehend  the  beau- 
ty and  force  of  the  gospels  and  the  epistles.  The  more 
thoroughly  you  study  the  Old,  the  more  easily  will  you 
comprehend  the  meaning  and  beauty  of  the  New  Tes- 
tament. If  you  will  become  intimately  acquainted 
with  the  book  of  Leviticus,  the  epistle  to  the  Hebrews 
will  possess  charms  which  you  had  never  attributed  to 
it.  If  you  have  discriminated  between  the  covenant 
which  God  made  with  Abraham,  and  that  which  he 
formed  with  the  people  of  Israel  at  Sinai,  you  will  be 
prepared  to  estimate  the  force  of  the  apostle's  reason- 
ing in  the  epistle  to  the  Galatians.  There  is  scarcely 
any  part  of  the  New  Testament  which  has  not  some 


148  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN 

connection  witli  the  Old.  In  the  historical  books,  you 
have  also  an  exhibition  of  the  providence  of  God,  and 
many  bright  examples  of  patriarchal  Cliristianity 
You  cannot  fail,  therefore,  of  being  amply  rewarded 
by  a  diligent  perusal  of  the  sacred  history. 

In  studying  the  doctrinal  ipavis  of  the  Bible,  you  will 
require  much  patience  and  perseverance,  mingled  with 
constant  prayer  for  heavenly  illumfnation.  There  is 
reason  to  apprehend  that  many  young  Christians  have 
vague  and  superficial  notions  of  the  doctrines,  whilst 
they  exhibit  much  of  the  true  temper  of  the  Gosjiel. 
If,  however,  they  neglect  to  investigate  and  understand 
the  doctrines  of  Scripture,  they  will  be  in  danger  of  be- 
ing led  astray  by  the  seducmg  influence  of  heresy.  Be 
well  grounded,  therefore,  in  the  fundamental  doctrines 
of  the  Bible.  In  making  up  your  opinion  with  respect 
to  any  doctrine,  avoid  a  rash  and  hasty  conclusion.  Be 
deliberate,  and  you  wiU  escape  the  imputation  of  "  be- 
ing carried  about  with  every  wind  of  doctrine. ' '  When 
a  truth  which  you  have  thus  deliberately  embraced  is 
called  in  question,  be  not  induced  by  the  apparent 
candor,  or  the  plausible  arguments  of  your  opponent, 
to  yield  your  opinion,  until  you  have  given  it  a  thor- 
ough investigation.  You  may  still  be  right,  and  your 
opponent  wrong.  Be  not  rash  in  giving  up  'i/02ir 
opinion  and  adopting  his.  This  caution  is  perhaps 
necessary  to  young  Christians,  ^^who  cannot  at  theii 
ige  be  supposed  to  be  thoroughly  indoctrinated. 


THE     SCRIPTURES.  149 

The  great  truths  of  evangelical  religion  you  have 
received  from  education.  I  would  advise  you  to  re- 
examine them  by  the  word  of  God,  and  if  they  corre^ 
spond  therewith,  to  hold  them  fast,  as  the  most  pre- 
cious legacy  which  your  pious  parents  have  be- 
queathed. It  will  be  insinuated,  perhaps,  that  such 
opinions  are  the  result  of  education,  and  are  destitute 
of  any  other  foundation.  Be  cautious  in  admitting 
this.  Search  the  Scriptures,  and  if  you  find  them 
there,  hold  them  fast,  as  a  "  form  of  soimd  words.'* 
If  they  were  opposed  to  the  Bible,  you  ought  to  aban- 
don them,  however  dear,  or  sanctified  by  parental 
affection.  But  in  yielding  such  opinion!^  I  would 
still  say,  be  not  rash.  Investigate  closely  and  can- 
didly, ere  you  let  them  go.  There  is  a  tenderness  of 
conscience  in  young  Christians,  which  Satan  some- 
times pushes  to  a  painful  and  distressing  embarrass 
ment.  This  is  as  much  the  case  in  respect  to  behef, 
as  to  external  conduct. 

As  an  illustration  of  these  remarks,  there  occurs 
to  my  recollection  the  case  of  a  youth,  who,  on  mak- 
ing a  pubHc  profession  of  religion,  joined,  as  a  matter 
of  course,  the  church  to  which  his  parents  belonged. 
For  a  short  time  all  went  happily  with  him.  He 
enjoyed  the  communion  of  the  saints,  and  the  ordi- 
nances of  the  Gospel.  The  scene,  however,  was  soon 
clianged.  His  mind  was  thrown  into  great  distress 
by  the  insinuations  of  one,  who,  by  his  bold  and  dog- 


150  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

matical  mode  of  reasoning,  led  him  into  doubts  on  a 
particular  point  of  doctrine.  He  was  deeply  per- 
plexed as  to  the  path  of  duty.  At  one  time,  the 
adversary  would  suggest  the  guilt  of  remaining  a  day 
longer  in  his  present  connection.  At  another,  he 
would  insinuate  that  he  had  made  a  false  profession, 
and  therefore  had  committed  the  sin  against  the  Holy 
Ghost.  In  this  hour  of  anguish,  he  prayed  most 
earnestly  for  direction.  The  thought  occurred  to 
him,  that  he  need  not  be  rash  in  altering  his  views. 
As  he  was  comparatively  a  child,  and  had  much  to 
learn,  God  would  not  be  displeased  if  he  took  time 
for  investigation.  This  thought  gave  him  consola- 
tion, and  he  set  about  a  diligent  and  prayerful  exam- 
ination of  his  Bible.  The  result  was,  a  conviction 
of  the  truth  as  he  had  held  it,  and  a  perfectly  settled 
state  of  mind  on  that  point,  even  to  the  present  time. 
I  hope,  therefore,  my  young  friend,  that  in  making 
up  your  doctrinal  opinions,  you  will  study  the  word 
of  God  closely  and  prayerfully.  Be  careful  not  to  rush 
into  hasty  conclusions  from  isolated  passages ;  but  take 
a  comprehensive  view  of  the  connection.  Look  at  the 
Bible  in  all  its  grand  and  magnificent  proportions.  Be 
thoroughly  indoctrinated,  and  you  will  become  a  grow- 
mg  and  stable  Christian.  There  will  be  a  solidity  in 
your  character,  which,  like  a  foundation  that  is  well 
adjusted  to  the  superstructure,  will  be  at  once  the 
evidence  both  of  permanency  and  of  beauty. 


THE   SCRIPTURES.  lAl 

LETTER  XXVII. 

STUDY   OF   THE    SCRIPTURES. 

I  WOULD  not,  my  young  friend,  have  you  study  the 
Bible  as  a  critic ^  but  as  a  Christian.  You  should 
endeavor  to  derive  some  spiritual  nourishment  from 
every  part  of  Scripture.  In  this,  Dr.  Scott's  com- 
mentary is  admirably  calculated  to  assist  you.  In 
studying  the  historical  Scriptures,  you  can  occasion 
ally  pause  and  meditate.  You  can  inquire  whethei 
your  mind  distinctly  comprehended  the  facts  recorded, 
and  their  practical  bearing.  In  this  way,  your  mem- 
ory will  be  strengthened,  and  your  heart,  I  trust 
often  affected. 

Before  I  leave  this  subject,  permit  me  to  say  a 
word  or  two  on  the  spirit  with  wliich  you  should 
peruse  the  sacred  volume.  It  is  a  spirit  of  imphcit 
faith,  and  childlike  docihty.  There  are  many  parts 
of  Scripture,  which,  after  the  most  diligent  and  care- 
ful investigation,  will  still  appear,  to  short-sighted 
man,  almost  inexplicable.  There  are  many  doctrines 
too  profound  for  human  comprehension — ^many  mys- 
terious truths  relating  to  God,  to  angels,  and  to 
heaven.  God  has  given  to  man  a  revelation  which 
embodies  the  august  truths  of  his  eternity,  and  of 
his  infinite  attributes  ;   which  brings   into  view  a 


152  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

Spiritual  world,  and  tlirows  down  upon  us  the  light 
of  the  inconceivable  glory ;  and  such  a  revelation 
must  necessarily  contain  things  to  us  mysterious  and 
incomprehensible.  It  necessarily  presents  certain 
truths  to  be  received  on  the  simple  testimony  of  God ; 
and  this  is  faith.  Shall  I,  therefore,  in  perusing  the 
Bible,  reject  one  of  its  doctrines,  because  it  is  less  in- 
telligible than  another  ?  Am  I  not  bound  to  receive 
even  incomprehensible  truths,  if  I  find  them  there 
recorded  ?  Having  settled  the  fact  that  the  Bible  is 
inspired,  I  must  come  to  it  as  to  an  infallible  oracle. 
I  must  feel,  with  the  apostle,  that  although  there  are 
many  things  wliich,  in  consequence  of  my  infirmity, 
I  can  only  view  as  through  a  glass  darkly ;  yet,  if  1 
am  a  Christian,  the  time  is  near  when  I  shall  see 
them  as  clearly  as  I  can  behold  a  friend  face  to  face. 
Although  I  must  confess  that  there  are  many  deep 
truths  which  now  I  know  but  in  part,  yet  there  is  a 
day  coming  when  I  shall  know  them  as  fully  as  I 
myself  am  known.  Even  the  venerable  apostle 
ranks  liiinself  but  as  a  child  in  the  knowledge  of 
divine  things.  He  is  content  to  wait  imtil  that 
knowledge  shall  be  expanded  among  the  bright  in- 
telligences of  heaven. 

"Were  your  father,  whom  you  so  much  love,  an  as- 
tronomer, conversant  with  the  motions  of  the  heav- 
enly bodies — were  he  to  take  you,  while  a  child,  to 
his  observatoiy,  point  you  to  those  revolving  orbs, 


THE   SCRIPTURES.  153 

and  tell  you  that  he  had  measured  their  distances, 
and  calculated  their  motions,  would  you  believe  hum  ? 
0  yes;  he  is  your  father,  who  would  not  deceive 
you,  and  you  are  his  confiding  child.  You  could  not 
comprehend  the  fact,  but  you  would  believe  your 
father;  you  would  have  no  doubt  of  his  veracity. 
Were  he  again  to  tell  you,  that  should  your  life  be 
continued,  you  also  would,  in  a  few  years,  be  able  to 
make  these  sublime  calculations,  your  astonishment 
would  be  increased.  Had  not  your  father  said  it, 
you  could  not  have  believed  it.  But  still  you  would 
confide  in  your  beloved  parent. 

This  is  precisely  the  spirit  which  you  must  possess 
in  studying  the  Scriptures.  It  is  your  Father  who 
speaks.  Sometimes  he  speaks  of  high  and  mysterious 
things  ;  but  remember,  that  you  are  bound  to  confide 
in  his  word.  When  scepticism  would  harass  your 
mind,  flee  to  the  word  of  God,  and  subject  your  un- 
derstanding impHcitly  to  its  dictates.  When  troubles 
assail,  betake  yourself  instantly  to  this  fountain  of 
consolation.  When  doubts  of  your  acceptance  come 
over  your  mind  like  a  dark  and  portentous  cloud, 
here,  in  this  blessed  volume,  is  the  Sun  of  righteous- 
ness to  chase  away  the  cloud,  and  restore  you  to 
calmness  and  tranquilHty. 

Whilst  there  is  a  spirit  abroad  that  would  under- 
value the  plain  testimony  of  revelation,  and  make  it, 
like  the  heathen  oracles  of  old,  speak  an  ambiguous 


154  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

and  time-serving  language,  he  it  your  resolution  to 
cling  to  the  precious  Bible,  and  to  love  even  its  most 
pielf-denying  and  soul-humbling  doctrines.  Be  not 
ashamed  of  those  views  of  truth  which,  in  the  esti- 
mation of  vain  and  proud  man,  are  pecuhar  only  to 
vulgar  minds.  The  Bible,  you  will  recollect,  was 
written  equally  for  the  vulgar  and  the  refined.  The 
poor  claim  it  as  their  most  precious  legacy.  What 
though  there  be  in  it  some  mysterious  and  inexpli- 
cable doctrines ;  is  it  not  the  part  of  faith  to  sit 
meekly  at  the  Saviour's  feet,  and  receive  impHcitly 
the  words  which  drop  from  his  lips  ? 

Compassed  about  as  we  are  with  infirmities — de- 
pendent as  we  are  for  the  least  ray  of  heavenly  com- 
fort— ^with  intellectual  pride  on  the  one  hand,  and 
deep-rooted  and  sinful  prejudices  on  the  other — ruow 
wandering  from  God  and  duty,  and  now  returning 
disappointed  and  dejected — let  us  sink  into  the  deep- 
est self-abasement.  Let  us  bow,  with  the  spirit  of 
children,  to  the  simple  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus ;  let  us 
implore  the  divine  Spirit  to  guide  us  through  this 
benighted  desert ;  and  let  us  look  forward  by  faith  to 
the  period  when  we  shall  emerge  from  our  darkness 
uito  unclouded  and  eternal  day. 


THE   BUSINESS   OF   LIFE.  1S5 

LETTER  XXVIII. 

RELIGION    THE   BUSINESS    OF   LIFE. 

By  this  time,  my  young  friend,  you  perceive  that 
religion  is  the  business  of  life — a  momentous  work, 
which  will  task  every  faculty  to  the  utmost.  To 
make  a  profession  in  the  visible  church  is  one  thing ; 
but  to  evince,  by  a  progressive  improvement  in 
knowledge  and  holiness,  our  connection  with  the 
church  invisible,  is  another.  When  I  look  around 
and  behold  so  many  youth  gathered  within  the 
church  by  the  sanctifying  influence  of  the  numerous, 
and  powerful  revivals  of  religion,  my  soul  exults  in 
the  prospective  glories  of  our  Zion.  These,  me- 
thinks,  are  the  generations  who  are  to  urge  forw^ard 
the  cause  of  Christ,  and  who  may  be  permitted  to 
chant  the  jubilee  of  millennial  glory. 

I  am  anxious  that  the  rising  generation  of  Chris- 
tians should  assume  a  m.ore  elevated  standard  of 
piety  and  action  than  that  which  has  characterized 
their  predecessors ;  and  that  primitive  holiness,  and 
magnanimity,  and  self-denial,  should  once  more  ap- 
pear, as  the  earnest  and  pledge  of  that  glorious  con- 
summation when  holiness  shall  be  inscribed  even  on 
the  bells  of  the  horses.  I  confess,  however,  that  I 
have  my  misgivings.     I  have  seen  some  who  but 


156  YOUNG   CHRISTIAN. 

lately  gave  auspicious  promise  of  this  high  ^nd  noble 
character,  sinking  down  to  the  dead  level  of  ordinary 
professors,  taking  the  hue  and  character  of  those 
around  them,  and  appearing  contented  with  just  so 
much  religion  as  will  render  them  agreeable  to  all, 
without  incurring  the  censure  of  any.  How  unwor- 
thy of  a  great  and  noble  character  I  I  would  never 
name  the  name  of  Christ,  or  I  would  give  him  my 
heart — ^my  full,  free,  undivided  heart. 

The  gospel  of  Christ  admits  of  no  compromise. 
It  demands  our  all.  If  it  required  less,  it  would  be 
unworthy  of  its  great  author  and  finisher.  I  rejoice 
that  it  requires  all.  This  is  its  glory.  When  we 
are  brought  to  yield  to  its  claims,  and  give  up  all, 
then,  and  not  till  then,  will  it  throw  around  us  its 
arms  of  mercy.  And  what  is  our  all  ?  What  do 
we  give  when  we  give  our  all  ?  A  polluted  soul, 
that  might  justly  be  cast  into  hell;  a  body,  the 
miserable  companion  of  that  soul,  and  groaning  under 
the  dire  effects  of  disobedience  and  guilt.  Our  all 
consists,  at  last,  in  nothing  more  than  a  polluted  and 
guilty  nature. 

What  a  wonder  is  it  that  God  will  accept  such  an 
offering.  What  a  miracle  of  mercy,  that  raises  us 
up  from  our  pollution,  bathes  us  in  the  laver  of  re- 
generation, and  clothes  us  in  the  white  linen  of  the 
saints.  And  do  we  talk  about  self-denial  ?  Do  we 
say,  how  hard  to  give  up  all  ?     I  am  ashamed  to  use 


THE  BUSINESS   OF  LiFE.  157 

Buch  language  ;  ashamed  to  hear  it  used.  What  did 
Christ  give  up  for  us  ?  Let  that  question  blot  out 
"  self-denial "  from  the  Christian's  vocabulary.  "When 
you  think  the  Gospel  makes  severe  requisitions  by 
requiring  all,  go  up  to  Mount  Calvary  and  weep  over 
such  suggestions.  See  the  blood  of  your  Immanuel 
so  freely  gushing  from  a  heart  that  never  exercised 
towards  you  any  emotion  but  love ;  love  unspeak- 
able— love  unsought — and  love  for  the  guilty.  Go 
hide*  your  head  in  shame  and  penitence  at  such  a 
thought.  It  is  a  glorious  privilege,  my  young  friend, 
to  give  up  all  to  Christ.  The  soul  that  feels  the 
constraining  influence  of  his  love,  asks  not  how  little 
may  be  given  consistently  with  obtaining  the  heav- 
enly reward — asks  not  for  the  lowest  standard  of  dis- 
cipleship ;  it  burns  with  an  ardent  desire  to  devote 
all,  and  to  aim  at  perfect  "  conformity  to  his  death." 
It  is  melancholy  to  behold  so  many  satisfied  with 
a  name  in  the  church,  and  a  seat  at  the  sacramental 
board.  This  appears  to  make  up  the  sum  of  their 
religion.  Others  go  one  step  farther,  and  observe 
some  decent  regard  to  what  may  be  termed  the  ex- 
perimental part  of  religion,  but  aim  not  at  that  ele- 
vated standard  which  it  is  their  privilege  to  attain. 
They  Hve  in  doubt,  and  they  often  die  in  darkness. 
They  enjoy  neither  religious  consolations  nor  the 
peace  which  the  world  giveth.  All  this  is  in  conse- 
quence of  that   miserable,  half-way,  compromising 


158  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

spirit,  which,  seeks  to  perform  the  service,  and  enjoy 
the  approbation  of  two  masters. 

Let  me  entreat  you  to  make  a  noble  surrender  in 
this  cause.  The  world  has  hitherto  been  the  master, 
and  you  must  acknowledge  that  you  have  rendered 
a  full  and  faithful  service ;  but  shall  you  yield  a  less 
free  and  faithful  devotion  to  Christ  ?  Which  is  the 
more  worthy  of  your  regard  ?  Which  has  the  greater 
claims  on  your  affections  ?  Which  offers  the  fullest 
reward  ?  Determine,  by  the  grace  of  God,  that  you 
will  forsake  all,  and  follow  Christ :  do  not,  like  Peter, 
follow  him  afar  off,  but,  like  Mary,  sit  at  his  feet — 
like  the  beloved  disciple,  rest  upon  his  bosom. 

You  will  perceive  from  my  communications  thus 
far,  that  there  is  work  enough  to  do  ;  that  there  is 
some  struggling  for  the  prize  ;  that  the  kingdom  of 
heaven  is  to  be  taken  by  violence  ;  that  you  are  not 
to  sit  down'  and  idly  imagine,  that  now  you  have 
joined  the  church,  there  remaineth  no  more  for  you 
JiflL^;  that  you  are  to  be  carried  along,  as  it  were, 
by  a  sort  of  invisible  influence  to  heaven,  without 
any  extraordinary  exertions  of  your  own.  Deter- 
mine, that  if  others  act  on  the  principles  of  the 
spiritual  sluggard,  you  will  leave  them,  and  march 
forward  towards  the  elevation  of  Christian  charac- 
ter which  the  Bible  plainly  marks  out  as  your  duty 
and  your  privilege.  Onward,  is  the  daily  watchword 
of  the  faithful  soldier  of  the  cross.     He  sleeps  not  at 


THE   BUSINESS    OF   LIFE.  156) 

his  post.  He  hears  the  first  note  of  alarm,  and  pre- 
pares for  the  conflict.  He  loves  his  King,  and  obe- 
dience is  a  pleasure  rather  than  a  duty.  Many  a 
bright  example  still  shines  in  your  view.  A  Brain- 
erd,  a  Martyn,  a  Graham,  a  Judson,  and  a  Newell, 
have  left  the  light  of  their  glorious  career  still  lin- 
gering on  earth.  Plant  your  feet  in  their  tracks,  and 
if  you  cannot  equal,  at  least  make  a  near  approxi- 
mation to  them.  Dread  the  thought  of  being  any 
thin^J^ss^  than  they^ere  ;  and  remember,  that  it  is 
possible  even  to  surpass  them. 

0  may  you  aim  high,  in  contending  for  the  prize 
of  your  high  calling.  May  you  go  from  strength  to 
strength,  from  victory  to  ^dctory,  from  one  attain- 
ment to  another,  until  you  shall  stand  a  glorious 
example  on  earth — until  you  shall  inherit  the  high' 
e«t  rewards  of  the  blessed  in  heaven. 


KJO  YOUNG    CHRISTIAIf 

I 

LETTER   XXIX 

RELIGION    THE    BUSINESS    OF    LIFE. 

The  duties  which  I  have  been  urging  upon  you, 
as  important  in  forming  an  elevated  standard  of 
piety,  are  those  especially  which  relate  to  God  and 
your  own  soul.  Social  obligations,  and  the  relative 
duties  of  life,  I  have  not  considered.  They  are  not 
first  in  importance.  Besides,  if  you  give  heed  to  the 
advice  which  I  have  presented  in  these  sheets ;  if 
you  persevere  in  the  path  which  I  have  marked  out ; 
if  you  give  the  diligence  in  prayer,  in  self-examina- 
tion, and  the  study  of  the  Bible  which  I  have  urged, 
you  will,  most  certainly,  not  be  a  dehnquent  in  the 
various  social  and  domestic  duties  of  life. 

The  course  recommended,  if  faithfully  pursued, 
vrHl  have  a  controlling  influence  upon  your  inter- 
course with  others.  It  will  put  every  thing  in  its 
propel  place,  and  give  every  duty  its  legitimate  prom- 
inency and  attention.  It  will  make  you  the  obedient 
child,  the  beloved  sister,  the  diligent  scholar,  and  the 
amiable  and  intelligent  companion.  It  will  render 
you  in  every  respect  lovely  and  interesting.  It  is 
under  this  impression  that  I  have  given  to  this  ^eub- 
lect  a  protracted  consideration,  and  that  I  have  said 
BO  little  about   your  general   deportment.     I  have 


THE   BUSINESS    OF  LIFE.  161 

endeavored  first  to  erect  the  solid  column  ;  the  Co- 
rinthian capital  can  be  easily  superadded. 

I  might  have  added  something  more,  on  the  im- 
portance of  Christian  biography  as  a  means  of  stim- 
ulating the  young  Christian,  but  I  take  it  for  granted 
that  you  are  already  familiar  with  most  of  the  pop- 
ular works  of  that  kind,  which  are  now  so  much 
¥ead  and  so  justly  admired.  The  memoirs  of  Brain- 
erd,  Pearce,  Martyn,  and  Scott ;  the  lives  of  Mrs. 
Graham,  Ramsay,  Newell,  and  Huntington,  cannot 
be  read  too  often,  nor  copied  too  closely.  You  will 
find  it  highly  useful,  in  your  daily  retirement,  to 
hold  converse  with  some  of  these  exalted  saints.  It 
will  furnish  a  humbling  view  of  your  own  compara- 
tive sluggishness,  and  arouse  you  to  emulate  their 
noble  self-denial  and  devotion.  Next  to  your  Bible, 
may  they  be  your  most  intimate  and  beloved  com- 
panions. 

But  ah,  how  small  a  number  of  such  characters 
have  ever  lived  to  grace  this  fallen  world.  "  Like 
angel  visitors,  they  have  been  few  and  far  between." 
They  have  shot  athwart  our  world,  to  evidence  to 
scoffers  and  infidels  the  genuine  beauty  of  Chris- 
tianity, and  to  exhibit  for  the  imitation  of  their 
brethren  that  high  and  noble  character  to  which 
human  nature,  degraded  as  it  is,  can,  by  the  spirit 
and  grace  of  Grod,  be  elevated.  When  I  read  of 
their  self-denial ;  their  entire  consecration  of  all  to 

Y.  ChristiaH.  •»•  ^ 


162  YOUl^G    CHRISTIAN. 

the  service  of  Christ ;  their  agonizing  prayers,  which 
were  offered  less  for  themselves  than  for  the  perish- 
ing souls  around  them  ,  their  enlarged  benevolence, 
which  was  satisfied  with  nothing  short  of  blessing  a 
world  ;  when  I  consider  their  patience  in  suffering, 
their  cheerfulness  under  repeated  and  severe  afflic- 
tions, their  composure  and  triumph  in  death,  I  view 
them  as  possessing  a  character  which  naught  but  a 
superhuman  power  can  confer ;  far,  very  far  trans- 
cending the  brightest  models  of  Grecian  or  of  Ro- 
man virtue.  They  scarcely  seem  to  belong  to  our 
species ;  and  if  fancy  were  permitted  to  decide,  we 
should  almost  say,  that  in  them  the  glory  and  bright 
ness  of  some  seraph  was  displayed. 

But  still,  my  young  friend,  "  they  were  bone  of 
our  bone,  and  flesh  of  our  flesh."  They  possessed, 
in  common  with  us,  the  same  sickly,  sinful  nature. 
They  made  no  pretensions  to  superiority.  Nay,  they 
considered  their  own  characters  as  vile,  in  the  eyes 
of  Him  who  "  cannot  look  upon  sin."  If  they  pos- 
sessed an  elevation  of  character  above  us,  they 
seemed  not  to  know  it.  They  were,  while  shining 
out  with  angel  virtue,  aU  meekness  and  humility. 
These  are  the  characters  which,  though  undervalued 
by  the  world,  make  their  silent  progress  through  life, 
indifferent  to  the  honors  and  the  pleasures  which 
inferior  and  sordid  minds  are  struggling  to  obtain 
These  are  the  characters  which,  while  they  walk  or 


THE   BUSINESS   OF   LIFE.  163 

earth,  converse  with  the  skies,  hold  communion- 
intimate,  deep,  delightful  communion — with  heaven. 
Their  souls  daily  disentanghng  themselves  from  the 
bonds  of  sensuahty,  severing  their  willing  affections 
from  the  dross  and  corruption  of  earth,  rise  to  a 
similitude  with  God  ;  and  ere  they  leave  their 
earthly  abode,  appear  to  imbibe  a  purity  and  a  per- 
fection, which  are  a  sort  of  earnest  of  their  quick 
transition  to  glory. 

But  my  pen  is  unable  to  render  a  just  tribute  to 
characters  so  bright  and  magnificent.  The  simple 
narrative  will  speak  a  stronger  eulogy. 

Such  are  the  characters  which  I  wish  you  to  copy. 
They  are  the  only  happy  characters.  There  is  a  de- 
lightful, yet  mournful  contrast  between  them  and 
that  cold-hearted,  half-devoted,  earthly-minded  race 
of  professors,  who,  I  verily  believe,  are  among  the 
most  miserable  beings  on  earth.  They  are  a  dis- 
grace to  the  Christian  church ;  a  standing  scandal 
upon  religion ;  a  grief  to  the  pious  ;  a  laugliing-stock 
to  the  world.  Over  their  worldly-mindedness,  their 
juiggardly  charities,  their  hollow  professions,  thou- 
sands stumble  into  perdition.  Avoid  this  character, 
as  you  regard  the  peace  of  your  own  soul,  the  pros- 
perity of  the  church,  the  advancement  of  Christ's 
kingdom,  and  your  final  salvation. 

Remember,  that  there  is  a  day  coming  when  the 
precious  will  be  separated  from  the  vile,  when  the 


164  YOUNG   CHRISTIAN 

Master  shall  walk  through  the  Christian  church,  and 
"  shall  gather  the  wheat  into  his  garner,  and  bum 
up  the  chaff  with  unquenchable  fire."  Be  not,  my 
young  friend,  satisfied  with  grovelling  views,  or  low 
attainments.  Aim  high,  even  at  perfection  ;  for  you 
know  that  a  greater  than  man  hath  said,  "  Be  ye 
perfect,  as  your  Father  m  heaven  is  perfect." 


CONCLUSION.  165 


CONCLUSION. 

I  CANNOT  believe,  my  young  friend,  that  the  serious 
cautions,  solemn  warnings,  and  earnest  appeals  which 
I  have  made,  are  to  be  entirely  lost.  1  flatter  myself, 
that  when  the  hand  which  penned,  and  the  heart 
which  prompted  them,  are  resting  in  the  grave,  she, 
for  whose  instruction  they  were  given,  will  exhibit 
all  that  maturity  of  knowledge,  all  that  purity  of 
character,  all  that  holy  elevation  of  purpose  and  of 
action,  which  together  constitute  the  fulness  of  Chris- 
tian perfection.  But  if,  after  all,  you  should  make  a 
compromise  with  the  world,  and  be  willing  to  settle 
down  upon  that  low  and  unworthy  standard  too 
common  among  our  churches — if  a  few  years  should 
find  you  foremost  in  pleasure  and  in  fashion,  and 
undistinguished  from  the  noisy,  vain,  and  trifling 
crowd,  methinks  your  conscience  will  have  been 
rapidly  seared,  and  your  heart  quickly  steeled  to  a 
sense  of  your  duty. 

But  I  am  persuaded  better  things  of  you,  though 
I  thus  speak.  Still,  I  know  more  than  you  can  at 
present  of  the  deceitfulness  of  the  heart,  the  subtle 
insinuations  of  Satan,  and  the  powerful  attractions 
■which  the  world  presents  to  a  warm,  youthful  imag- 
ination. Secluded  as  you  now  are,  you  can  form  but 
a  faint  conception  of  the  power  of  worldly  seductioaa. 


166  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

Perhaps  you  are  ready  to  conclude,  that  your  heart 
is  impregnable  to  all  their  assaults.  This,  be  as- 
sured, is  a  great  mistake.  Think  not  that  your 
mountain  stands  strong.  If  you  indulge  this  thought, 
you  will  most  assuredly  fall ;  you  will  be  obliged  to 
weep  over  the  disgrace  which  you  will  have  brought 
upon  religion ;  you  will,  perhaps,  be  constrained  to 
bewail  the  ruin  of  some  soul,  who  may  have  been 
emboldened  in  sin  through  your  carelessness  or  inad- 
vertency. You  have  a  dangerous  road  to  travel. 
You  cannot  be  too  vigilant ;  you  cannot  offer  too 
many  prayers  for  guidance  and  protection.  Your 
armor  cannot  be  too  bright,  nor  your  eye  too  circum- 
spect. 

Remember  what  I  have  already  said,  that  declen- 
sion begins  at  the  closet.  Watch  there  for  its  first 
appearance.  There  be  ready  to  discover  and  to  cor- 
rect it.  Prayer  is  your  stronghold.  In  every  encoun- 
ter with  your  adversaries,  draw  upon  the  strength 
of  heaven.  In  every  dark,  distressful  hour,  cast  an 
eye  upward  to  God.  When  the  world  displays  its 
fascinations,  and  woos  you  away  to  its  arms,  God, 
and  God  alone,  is  the  "  strength  of  your  heart." 
When  afflictions  come,  and  the  soul  is  made  sad  and 
desolate,  wh^re  then  shall  y-DU  look,  but  to  Him  who 
heareth  the  mourner's  cry  ?  Prayer  has  ever  been 
powerful  ar.i  efficient.  It  has  wiped  away  the  tear 
i>f  the  penitent,  and  lighted  up  the  gleam  of  hope. 


!^«^  y,i'^^ 


concluIiTTn*"  *       •      V  .^  jgy. 

It  has  broken  the  stout  sinei^s^^  rebellion/  and 
transformed  the  lion  to  the  lamb. 

In  the  work  of  self-examination,  be  close  and 
thorough — ^be  habitual  and  persevering.  Let  a  nice 
discrimination  run  through  your  investigations.  Re- 
member your  aim.  It  is  high ;  it  is  the  elevated 
character.  Deal  faithfully,  then,  with  your  own 
soul.  Arraign  it  at  a  diurnal  tribunal,  and  judge  it, 
severely  judge  it,  from  the  law  of  God.  Anticipate 
the  great  and  final  account.  It  will  then  not  burst 
upon  you  unprepared.  You  will  go  calmly  forward 
to  the  bar  of  God,  and  unhesitatingly  open  your  bo- 
som, conscious  of  forgiveness,  to  his  keen  inspection. 

Let  the  word  of  God  dwell  in  your  heart.  Study 
its  sacred  pages  with  prayerful  diligence,  and  bow  to 
its  doctrines  with  implicit  faith.  Be  it  the  man  of 
your  coimsel ;  the  guide  of  your  belief;  the  founda- 
tion of  your  hope. 

In  short,  take  to  yourself  the  whole  armor  of  God : 
the  shield  of  faith,  by  which  you  may  quench  the 
fiery  darts  of  Satan  ;  the  helmet  of  salvation,  to  adorn 
and  defend  your  head ;  the  breastplate  of  righteous- 
ness, to  cover  your  bosom  from  the  shafts  of  calumny 
or  of  envy ;  the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  whose  keen  edge 
will  make  you  resolute  and  fearless  in  the  attack, 
powerful  and  irresistible  in  the  defence.  Thus  ar- 
rayed, look  upward,  and  press  onward.  God  is  your 
strength,  and  when  he  nerves  the  arm,  though  it  be 


168  YOUNG    CHRISTIAN. 

the  arm  of  the  weakest  believer,  that  arm  is  irresisti- 
ble. Lay  not  aside  your  weapons,  while  one  foe 
within  is  unsubdued,  or  one  enemy  without  uncon- 
quered.  But  life  is  short.  The  time  is  at  hand 
when  you  shall  have  a  full  and  free  discharge.  The 
crown  of  glory  glitters  in  prospect.  Aftei  a  few 
more  days  of  fidelity  to  your  King,  that  crown  shall 
be  placed  upon  your  brow. 

When  death  comes,  he  will  prove  your  last  enemy. 
As  he  falls  beneath  your  triumphant  struggle,  you 
shall  hear  the  notes  of  victory,  bursting  from  ten 
thousand  angels,  on  your  dying  ear.  Then  your 
work  is  done.  Then  your  warfare  is  over.  On  yon- 
der heavenly  plains,  you  shall  receive  a  golden  harp, 
and  learn  celestial  music.  You  shall  sound  that 
name  by  which  you  conquered  ;  and  in  your  eternal 
song,  chant  the  praise  of  Him  who  sitteth  upon  the 
throne,  and  of  the  Lamb  for  ever.  The  trials  of  life 
will  be  remembered  no  more  ;  or  if  remembered,  will 
fcjerve  as  new  themes  of  praise  and  thanksgiving. 

What  a  consummation  I  Who  would  not  struggle 
a  few  short  days,  to  inherit  so  rich  a  reward — ^to 
wear  forever  so  bright  a  diadem  ? 


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